Planet earth is undergoing transformations brought about by climate change. Pollution, desertification, flooding, deforestation have a negative impact on our earth and are at the origin of climate change. Djibouti is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in Africa and at the same time the most exposed to natural disasters. The rate at which the impact of climate change is affecting the country – and especially the poor and vulnerable whose lives depend heavily on natural resources – is very alarming. Disasters do not affect everyone in the same way, but rather depend on levels of vulnerability that vary according to the various facets of socially constructed identity, such as gender. In a world marked by gender inequality, women and girls are often the most affected by the consequences of climate change and disasters. Without explicit consideration, approaches to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation tend to ignore gender. As a result, solutions are invisible to gender differences and therefore not effective, having the potential to exacerbate inequalities and gender disparities between women and men in terms of poverty, work, and access to resources. Vulnerability is particularly high among Djiboutian women and girls, who often rely disproportionately on small-scale livelihoods based on natural resources, which require favorable climatic conditions. This situation is further complicated by higher poverty rates among women and cultural and behavioral restrictions, which affect women's mobility and socially assigned roles and responsibilities. Lack of gender sensitivity in macroeconomic policies and budgets and limited access to governance and productive resources. These endowments and human capital in the form of access to health, education and social protection programmes influence how women and girls can access information on disaster risk and early warning systems, as well as relief and recovery, which has an impact on disaster preparedness and response. The risks and impacts associated with disasters and climate-induced hazards are not evenly distributed across society, as those with the least capacity to cope and adapt are often the most vulnerable. Because of their social status and gender roles, they are mainly in charge of subsistence food, water supply, household chores, and all those elements that are directly affected by climate change, even though they are poorer, have less cultural and social capital and are therefore more vulnerable to crises. In response to a government request for assistance, and in line with Djibouti’s priorities outlined in the INDC, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting the Government of Djibouti in the formulation of an integrated programme titled “Djibouti Climate Resilience and Livelihoods Programme”, expected to be financed through multiple sources including, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), bilateral donors, International Finance Institutions (IFIs), philanthropic organisations and private sector investment. The programme aims to build the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change targeting key thematic areas: Energy and Water. Addressing both climate change impacts, and gender equality and women’s empowerment is a key aspect of the programme’s approach to achieving its core vision. Climate resilience, a zero-carbon future and gender equality and women’s empowerment are seen as goals and are also central to the achievement of UNDP’s development mandate in Djibouti. To address both climate change impacts and women’s empowerment UNDP financed the development of a strategy with action points to empower women and reduce vulnerabilities mainly in the agriculture/water and energy sector and ensure they are reflected in the integrated environment programme.
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