We are thrilled to announce that Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (14th District) has accepted Oxfam's invitation to become a Sisters on the Planet Ambassador! She joins many other prominent women leaders across the US who have accepted leadership roles in highlighting the effects of climate change on women. Other S.O.P. Ambassadors include Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius; award-winning journalist Elizabeth Becker; Reverend Sally Bingham; and League of Women Voters president Mary Wilson.

We are also thrilled to announce our upcoming FREE San Francisco Screening of Sisters on the Planet!

When: Sunday, March 1st, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Grace Cathedral- Gresham Hall
What: FREE Screening and Informative Afternoon
Why: See previous post below=)

RSVP to oxfam.sf@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Women as Agents of Change

When natural disasters strike, they hit poor communities first and worst. And since women make up an estimated 70 percent of those living below the poverty line, they are most likely to bear the heaviest burdens. At the same time, women are often left out of the conversation about adapting to climate change, even though they are sometimes in the best position to provide solutions.

In most poor communities, women play dual roles. As providers, they usually work in agriculture or other informal sectors, and they collect food, water, and fuel. As caretakers, they look after the children, sick, and elderly; the home; and the family’s assets. As a result, women often have invaluable knowledge about adapting to erratic environmental changes. When women are included equally with men in disaster preparedness training, their survival rates improve.

However, socially constructed roles and responsibilities usually put women at a disadvantage in preparing for climate change. Women have less access to resources, are frequently unable to swim or leave the house unattended, and are less likely to migrate to look for shelter and work when a disaster hits. Statistically, women (and children) are more likely to die than
men during disasters.

When women participate in decision-making at national and community levels, they can help devise effective climate change solutions that build stronger communities.

Click here to download a PDF Climate Change and Women Fact Sheet!