Gender parity and their relation to climate change

"...there is no excuse for policy makers and practitioners not to invest in women's empowerment or not to improve effectiveness in our policy dialogue with governments to accelerate improvements in gender- related MDGs". The question my working paper investigates is whether, women are powerful agents of change in combating and coping with climatic and disaster risks. Reference is made to the 2006 through 2010 UNEP Gender Plan of Action, which introduces gender equality and equity, as perquisites of environmental conservation and sustainable development, and which can be useful in strengthening possible pathways to the Pacific development agenda. Case studies prepared by the WWF-Climate Witness Report are also utilized to illustrate women's role in improving resilience to climate and disaster risks. Reference is further made to some of the common gender analytical frameworks utilized in disaster risk reduction, which could be rolled out towards the Pacific development agenda. My paper concludes by providing some of the initiatives that can be of assistance in providing Pacific Island communities, in ensuring equitable approaches in coping with climatic conditions and disaster risks