Several international organizations, including Islamic Relief and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have published a joint report stating that women and men are affected in different ways due to their distinct roles in families and communities.
With climate change and natural disasters, a significant number of women in Afghanistan have lost their businesses and even their shelters, facing various challenges, especially in rural areas.
The report notes that women and men are impacted differently because of their roles within families and society.
It further states that Afghan women and girls are at greater risk than men due to low income, lack of access to education, and restrictions on participation in decision-making.
These organizations emphasize that traditionally, men in Afghanistan are responsible for agriculture, while women primarily engage in dairy production and the care of livestock. During droughts, livestock may be sold or used for food, which severely threatens women’s traditional livelihoods.
The joint report indicates that in rural areas, the responsibility of fetching water largely falls on women and children. During water shortages, they are forced to travel long distances to obtain water. Additionally, women and children face multiple threats while displaced, such as a lack of separate shelters, sexual harassment, and limited access to health services.
The Ministry of State for Disaster Management has recently announced that a working team has been formed in collaboration with international organizations to assess the potential for drought in the coming year.
This office has stated, citing OCHA officials, that $10 million has been allocated for drought management in Afghanistan. This budget will be used for distributing drought-resistant seeds, providing alternative livelihoods for affected people, and sourcing animal feed.
The United Nations and other international entities have previously expressed their concerns regarding the negative impacts of climate change in Afghanistan.
