Impact of COVID-19 and Climate Change on Vulnerable Women
Thematic focus
This training workshop will engage key stakeholders to work together to develop practical suggestions to address the impact of COVID 19 and climate change on vulnerable women in central Portland Bight, Jamaica. By engaging the stakeholders from the earliest stages of project identification and development we will ensure maximum relevance to the real problems that are being faced by the group. We will use the Vulnerability Risk Assessment approach to ensure the full participation of the stakeholders in the process.
Tentative Programme
- Registration and Refreshments – Moya Black, C-CAM
- Introduction & Welcome – Ingrid Parchment, C-CAM
- Overview – Ingrid Parchment, C-CAM
- Presentations
- Climate Change Division, Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation
- Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sports
- Ministry of Health & Wellness
- Lunch break
- Vulnerability Risk Assessment –Ann Sutton, consultant
- Closing Remarks –Ingrid Parchment
Target audience
15 –20 vulnerable women from communities in Central Portland Bight Protected Area as well as C-CAM staff.
Learning goals
- What is Climate Change and how is it affecting Portland Bight?
- Update regarding general risks of COVID 19
- Identification of risks to women in light of impacts of Climate Change and COVID19
- Understanding how combined risks might be different for men and women and why
- Envisioning session with participants to help them to identify how they can work to reduce risks
- Collaborative development of project ideas to support joint initiatives to reduce impacts on vulnerable groups of women
Outcome
The workshop showed the resilience and optimism of female community members who have faced major disruption to their lives and livelihoods over the last 15 years. Comparison with VRAs carried out between 2009 and 2011 (Haynes-Sutton 2009; 2011) showed that little has changed in their assessments of risks and possible solutions, except the additional stresses caused by COVID 19. The participants agreed that the impacts of climate change and COVID 19 affect women disproportionately. They also agreed that there were a few positive impacts, including increased community cooperation and incentives to start new businesses. There was agreement that there is a need for more training, support for business development, enforcement of environmental laws, and a large effort to support education and awareness.
The participants found the workshop useful and would like to see further workshops to develop the themes and include more people.