Tunisia has launched advanced plans in order to help and boost women adapt to climate change experienced in the country, Tunisian authorities say.
A total budget of $500,000 will be dedicated to the creation of 10 corporations in 2023 to boost women’s capacities in the agricultural sector. The project will also strengthen their adaptation to climate change.
“The impact of climate change on men and women is different. It is also different from one age group to another, as well as from one economic class to another class. Our objective is to focus on women and goals in rural regions because they represent one-third of the total number of women in Tunisia”, said an official.
The Minister of Environment indicated that the North African state will focus on enhancing women’s adaptive capacities to secure livelihoods amid greater climate impacts.
“Climate change has a direct negative impact on the economy in the whole world and in Tunisia. Therefore, the economic empowerment of women is considered a means of achieving adaptation and resilience to climate change. Women have great coping and adaptive capacities’’, an official added.
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The Tunisian Union of Agriculture is offering assistance to rural women by implementing different programs and initiatives throughout the country, according to the agricultural department in Tunisia. Women account for over 50% of the population and 70% of the workforce in the agricultural sector.
Women in this sector, however, present only 15% of permanent employees and 8% of employers.
Analysts say that climate change has exacerbated gender inequality and women are a vulnerable group. Tunisia aims to consolidate the role of rural women in economic development and job creation. By funding and implementing new women’s projects this year.
