21 November, 2009 12:33 PM

UNFPA Nepal Calls For Women's Empowerment In Climate Change

KATHMANDU, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nepal has called for a renewed debate and actions to respond to population issues and Nepali women's empowerment in the face of climate change, local media reported on Saturday.

The call comes with the release of the UNFPA's report on State of World Population 2009, China's Xinhua news agency reported citing a local media's report.

"This is a vital time in Nepal to re-invigorate the debate and identify the actions needed to respond to population issues and women's empowerment in the face of climate change. We hope the report will contribute to the debate," local newspaper The Kathmandu Post cited Ian McFarlane, UNFPA Representative in Nepal Ian McFarlane as saying.

The document said that women bear the disproportionate burden of climate change, but debates aimed at mitigating climate change impacts overlook concerns of this vulnerable lot.

It said that from hygiene needs to life-threatening complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, women are more prone to sexual violence and domestic abuse in disaster situations.

Nepal is trying their best to raise the awareness of climate change as the upcoming United Nations Framework Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) is scheduled to kick off in December in Denmark's capital Copenhagen.

Deepak Bohora, Minister of Nepali Forest and Soil Conservation suggested on recently that the Nepali government shouuld hold a cabinet meeting on Mt. Qomolangma (Everest) to highlight the impact of global warming on the Himalayas.

-- BERNAMA

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