Exclusion from Climate Action Planning Leaves Women and Girls with Disabilities Behind
As the world faces severe consequences of climate change, women and girls with disabilities in Rwanda remain among the most at-risk groups. This vulnerability stems from their limited inclusion and inadequate capacity to participate in the planning of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
A recent study conducted by the Rwandan Organization of Women with Disabilities (UNABU), in collaboration with other partners in the districts of Bugesera, Gakenke, and Nyabihu, revealed that despite some progress in supporting people with disabilities, women and girls with disabilities still face significant barriers. These include lack of access to information, poverty, and social exclusion rooted in historical and cultural factors.
Many of them lack access to information related to climate change and the strategies to address it. This limits their ability to protect themselves and their livelihoods during extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, or intense heat. The absence of basic communication tools like radios, phones, and televisions further isolates them from critical public information.
During climate-related disasters, women with disabilities often live in extreme poverty, putting their children and families at greater risk. Additionally, some have no access to emergency support, which further endangers their well-being.
One example is women and girls with albinism, who are particularly affected by sun exposure due to lack of access to protective sunscreen. Although there is a presidential directive requiring these products to be made available, challenges persist in ensuring they are distributed effectively through health centers. This turns climate change into a serious public health issue.
Many of those interviewed in the study confirmed that the impacts of climate change affect them more severely than others, yet the support systems designed to help remain largely insufficient. They called for better alignment between laws and budget allocations, as well as continuous advocacy to ensure that women and girls with disabilities are represented in decision-making processes at all levels.
Gender equality advocates and organizations working with persons with disabilities emphasize that the challenges highlighted must be addressed as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. Local government entities, health institutions, and environmental agencies are urged to take the lead in providing timely solutions and protecting women and girls with disabilities from worsening conditions during climate crises.
As the world faces severe consequences of climate change, women and girls with disabilities in Rwanda remain among the most at-risk groups. This vulnerability stems from their limited inclusion and inadequate capacity to participate in the planning of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
A recent study conducted by the Rwandan Organization of Women with Disabilities (UNABU), in collaboration with other partners in the districts of Bugesera, Gakenke, and Nyabihu, revealed that despite some progress in supporting people with disabilities, women and girls with disabilities still face significant barriers. These include lack of access to information, poverty, and social exclusion rooted in historical and cultural factors.
Many of them lack access to information related to climate change and the strategies to address it. This limits their ability to protect themselves and their livelihoods during extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, or intense heat. The absence of basic communication tools like radios, phones, and televisions further isolates them from critical public information.
During climate-related disasters, women with disabilities often live in extreme poverty, putting their children and families at greater risk. Additionally, some have no access to emergency support, which further endangers their well-being.
One example is women and girls with albinism, who are particularly affected by sun exposure due to lack of access to protective sunscreen. Although there is a presidential directive requiring these products to be made available, challenges persist in ensuring they are distributed effectively through health centers. This turns climate change into a serious public health issue.
Many of those interviewed in the study confirmed that the impacts of climate change affect them more severely than others, yet the support systems designed to help remain largely insufficient. They called for better alignment between laws and budget allocations, as well as continuous advocacy to ensure that women and girls with disabilities are represented in decision-making processes at all levels.
Gender equality advocates and organizations working with persons with disabilities emphasize that the challenges highlighted must be addressed as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. Local government entities, health institutions, and environmental agencies are urged to take the lead in providing timely solutions and protecting women and girls with disabilities from worsening conditions during climate crises.
