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"Gendered" Representation Needed at COP17<\/p><\/div>\n
In 2010 the German Green Party published the aforementioned document outlining and evaluating the present state of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in Zimbabwe. The report claims that current gender inequalities are compounding effects of climate change, \u201cA deliberate and extensive effort is needed to integrate gender issues into Zimbabwe\u2019s response to climate change. Gender disaggregated data on vulnerabilities is needed at both micro and macro levels. The accentuated vulnerability of women to climate change should be acknowledged, researched, and integrated in plannig and strategy building. Policy making in response to climate change must ensure the participation of women, children, the elderly, the disabled and other vulnerable groups. Gender parity should be mainstreamed in the institutional frameworks and programmes of all organisations and bodies involved in responding to climate change in Zimbabwe. Likewise, institutions involved in public awareness raising should ensure that communities are informed of implications of climate change on gender relations, and are aware of restorative alternatives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, gender relationships have not been a central concern of the international climate change negotiations, leading to a pure focus on technical and economic bias on the resulting documents and policies. \u201cIf women\u2019s organisations are not actively involved, gender and women\u2019s aspects will not be addressed; and becasuse gender aspects are not addressed, women\u2019s organisations do not take part.\u201d From here on out, gender based organisations should not only be in attendance at COP, but should have central roles in the negotiations in order to adequately influence the outcomes.<\/p>\n