Journalists went on to ask how children exploited in the context of climate change, especially girls, can be helped by NGOs. Ms. Takai emphasized the importance of raising awareness of gender equality inside the family. By encouraging all family members to take up different roles on the domestic level of disaster management, it is hoped that some plasticity in gender roles will gradually manifest itself. For example, male family members would be encouraged to be responsible for housekeeping, and at the same time, females’ ability to make important family and community decisions would be recognized.
Ms. Takai’s observations and experience prove that climate change is not only about increasing temperatures and immediate crises, such as food shortages and water scarcity. In the course of addressing climate change, leaders cannot neglect the close relationship between climate issues themselves and other emergent problems. Putting gender inequality within the framework of climate change is an essential step in coming to a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. By adopting this approach, policy makers can analyze climate change more thoroughly and act holistically.
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Ms. Takai continued , noting that the situation is equally bad in families that do not prefer daughters working outside but marrying at a young age.
“Especially at the worst times during a disaster, some families think that daughters need to be protected,” she added. To these families, marriage is a good way to ensure that their daughters are protected; however, many young girls fall victim to forced marriages and marital violence because of this belief.
Truly, revealing of the complexity of global warming brings into focus the enormous efforts that will be needed to tackle the problem. The good news, however, is that more and more people are learning about the issue and trying to offer a helping hand, including everyone in JEMUN.
“It is difficult to combat gender inequality as conservative views are usually very rigid in people’s mind. Do you think we can eventually change [people’s] mindsets?” The journalists asked.
“I hope so. I hope we will be able to do it,” said Ms. Takai, with a bright smile on her face.
Photo by Hiroto Seirta