Under its Disability Rights Rights DRF Project, the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) organized a powerful Community Sensitization Program in Kurudu Community to spotlight the unique impacts of climate change on persons with disabilities (PWDs), especially women and girls. The event, held on [insert date], aimed to educate the community about the intersection of climate change and gender-based violence (GBV), raising awareness and advocating for inclusive climate action.

Key Highlights of the Sensitization Program:

  • Street Awareness Campaign: Women with disabilities led a vibrant street walk in Kurudu, carrying placards and engaging residents with thought-provoking messages about the overlooked challenges faced by PWDs in the face of climate change.
  • Interactive Community Dialogue: AWWDI staff hosted discussions with community members, highlighting how climate change exacerbates the vulnerabilities of women and girls with disabilities.
  • Educational Focus: The team explained the links between climate change and GBV, drawing attention to how women with disabilities are at increased risk of exploitation and abuse during climate crises.

Climate Change and Gender-Based Violence

During the discussions, AWWDI staff emphasized the following ways climate change contributes to GBV against women and girls with disabilities:

  1. Resource Scarcity and Exploitation: During disasters like floods or droughts, resources such as food, water, and shelter become scarce. Women with disabilities, often excluded from emergency response plans, are forced to depend on others, which can expose them to sexual exploitation or abuse.
  2. Unsafe Shelters and Displacement: When displaced by climate disasters, women and girls with disabilities face heightened risks of GBV in overcrowded and poorly managed shelters that lack accessibility.
  3. Social Marginalization: Pre-existing stigmas against women with disabilities often intensify during crises, leading to neglect or physical violence.
  4. Economic Vulnerabilities: Disasters disrupt livelihoods, increasing poverty levels and making women with disabilities more vulnerable to forced labor, trafficking, or abuse.

Call to Action for Inclusive Climate Solutions

AWWDI called on the Kurudu community and stakeholders to prioritize inclusion in climate action by:

  • Involving women with disabilities in climate decision-making processes.
  • Ensuring shelters and resources are accessible during emergencies.
  • Addressing the specific risks of GBV in disaster preparedness plans.

AWWDI’s Commitment

This community sensitization is part of AWWDI’s broader commitment to ensuring that the voices of women and girls with disabilities are heard in the fight against climate change and GBV. By raising awareness and advocating for systemic change, we aim to build a more inclusive and equitable society.

Gratitude and Next Steps

We thank the resilient women with disabilities who led this campaign, our dedicated staff, and the Kurudu community for their active participation. Together, we can create a future where no one is left behind in climate action.

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