Gender and climate change: Giving the "latecomer" a head start

Climate change and related environmental hazards serve to highlight the economic and social conditions of communities desperately trying to survive on the periphery of a world economy that has barely permeated the lives of rural Africa since the colonial intrusion. Differential income, capacity and ability to adapt to the negative consequences of climate change means that vulnerability and resilience of different social groups necessitates a gendered approach. The article looks at the inherent human security issues that are integral to climate change, in terms of adaptation and mitigation. It focuses briefly on the "neglect" of gender issues within the overall climate debate and makes suggestions why gender issues were initially sidetracked from the main debate. Climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water and energy are explored and inherent links with gender are made. The article underscores the importance of integrating key lessons from the development discourses into the climate regime.