UNFPA Suriname is building the resilience of women against climate change

Climate change is exacerbating the vulnerability of women and girls across the world. Unfortunately, during climate-induced natural disasters, conflicts and public health emergencies, gender and sexual and reproductive health needs are often overlooked, with staggering consequences including increased unintended pregnancies, higher risk of maternal deaths, rise in early marriage and genderbased violence. The effects of climate change are felt first and most acutely by vulnerable and marginalized populations, including women, children, youth, people with disabilities, minorities, the elderly and the urban poor.

The Government of Suriname, in partnership with the UNFPA, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), are implementing the SDG Joint Fund Programme aimed at developing sustainable development financing strategies for priority sectors. The main objectives of the initiative are to ensure more inclusive and gender-responsive actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to develop a national roadmap for a sustainable financial system to achieve national development and climate change goals.

Gender has been both cross-cutting as well as an independent subject addressed during the course of this joint project. The Bureau of Gender Affairs of the Minister of Home Affairs has been a valued partner during the implementation of the joint project and will continue to play a crucial role by ensuring the monitoring of gender actions which will be registered in an addendum of the Gender Policy Vision Document 2021 - 2035.

During the event Ms. Annette Tjon Sie Fat and Ms. Sharda Ganga gave presentations which were focused on getting the participants familiar with basic concepts like gender and gender equality. They also presented the addendum on the Gender Vision Policy Plan 2021 – 2035. The addendum stresses the core values of UNFPA‘s approach to climate action, which are ensuring that climate resilience is rights-focused, gender sensitive, and people-centered. The addendum also emphasizes the inclusion of gender responsive sustainable finance.

During his remarks the Director of Home Affairs said: "Abundant rainfall, long droughts, storms, hurricanes and other kinds of natural disasters are unstoppable. We can prepare for it, fortify ourselves and resist it. The SDG Joint Project is an initiative in which international and national partners not only work on resilience against the consequences of climate change, but also strongly encourage cooperation at the same time. It is important not to neglect anyone in the collaboration. Involving the most vulnerable groups, including the Indigenous and Tribal peoples, will only enhance the effectiveness of projects."