Critical theme: Gender inequalities in social protection – people, households and climate adaptation
Join the event for a discussion on the role of social protection schemes and how they can incorporate climate-resilience objectives and respond to the different needs of women and men.
Climate risks place a heavy burden on many households in developing countries, with basic needs such as food, water and shelter threatened. Some people and households finance adaptative measures by using savings and capitalising assets, taking loans from banks and private lenders, while others might receive support from social protection schemes.
Reflecting on a number of examples, this event in IIED’s London office on Thursday, 2 April (5.30-6.45pm BST) will explore the role of social protection schemes and how they can incorporate climate-resilience objectives and respond to the different needs of women and men.
Women and men in developing countries face diverse challenges in their responses to the impacts of a changing climate. Not only do they need short-term coping mechanisms, but in the long term, they must adapt to a new way of life. For households this may mean more expensive seeds, food, machinery or travel to a different place for work.
As not all households are the same, it's not possible to assume that dual-headed households bear a similar burden to those headed only by women, or that within a household, women and men’s challenges are alike.
This event will explore how these households respond to climate risks. What strategies do women and men deploy, and at what cost? Where there are social protection schemes, are climate-resilience objectives accounted for?
Through reflecting on and sharing examples from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Mozambique and elsewhere, an expert panel will discuss what is needed to move beyond a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and develop social protection that responds to the differential needs and priorities of women and men, and in so doing, achieves gender equality and a model that works for all.
The discussions will be followed by drinks, food and an opportunity to network.
To register for the event, click here.