Climate change will force women and children to walk longer distances to collect water

26 July 2010: Women and children will be the first to suffer from countries on the frontline of climate change, according to a leading climate activist at a Plan-backed conference.

Speaking in the Uganda capital, Kampala, Margret Wewerinke of non-governmental organisation North-South XXI, claimed the country would be among those to see an increase in human rights violations caused by global warming.

She was talking at ‘The struggle for climate change justice’ event organised by Plan with Climate Action Network-Uganda and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance.

More poverty

During the talk, Margret said poor countries like Uganda are spending large proportions of their incomes addressing the negative impacts of climate change. This, she said, had resulted in more poverty as resources have been diverted from priority interventions such as education and health.

Margret said: “Women and children are among the groups that will suffer more, walking long distances in search of firewood and water.

"We should not accept further human violations in less developed countries. Why should African countries accept climate change when they never even caused it?"

Alarming burden

Phoebe Kasoga, Plan Uganda’s resource mobilisation manager, said: “The situation of African mothers and children is still very alarming. They continue to bear the greater burden of ensuring that families are provided with water yet have less access to health facilities, especially in rural areas.

“They are the most affected by climate change in their everyday lives – yet have the least say currently. But women, children and youth also have the potential to lead the fight against climate change.”

She called upon governments, development agencies and authorities to put women and children’s needs at the forefront of action on climate justice.

Warning

Margret Wewerinke warned that less developed countries will not meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as on reduced maternal mortality rates and hunger, and will not ensure environmental sustainability.

"African governments have to be clear and stress that the money meant for addressing climate change should be different from that for MDGs," she said.

The coalition will send its declaration to the African Union summit taking place in Kampala this month.

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