Abstract
To address the widespread impact of climate change and wide-ranging consequences, nations are developing domestic, subnational, regional, and transnational legal adaptation mechanisms which has become a key area of development for national and international policymakers. Climate change may impact women more than men, particularly in developing nations by exacerbating inequalities through a variety of social, economic, and cultural barriers. Thus, as this paper considers, gender-based approaches have been introduced in regard to adaptation to ensure equitable climate justice for women. Both the Cancun Agreement and Lima Work Programme on Gender define ‘gender’ as the empowerment of women to ensure meaningful participation and contribution to strengthening all climate activities through decision-making to find “gender-just or gender-responsive solutions to climate change”. Bangladesh, the 9th most vulnerable nation in 2019 in the world in regard to the impacts of climate change having women as its half of the population has recognized the importance of gender equity and has focused on women empowerment as one of its goals for Vision 2021. The Constitution of Bangladesh has safeguarded gender-focused environmental rights without any discrimination which is not enforceable in the courts of justice in most cases. Among 19 environmental laws in the country only Bangladesh Environment Preservation Act, 1995 and the Environment Court Act, 2010, are practiced mostly in the courts. However, due to some drawback provisions such as, “national interest” and “good faith” provisions, these laws are not fully enforceable in the courts.
Presenters
Fatema Jahan SharnaAdditional District and Sessions Judge, Law and Justice Division, 3rd Additional District and Sessions Judge Court, Kishoreganj zila, Bangladesh
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Bangladesh; Climate Change adaptation;gender equity
