Inclusive by Design - Creating Resilient & Equitable Communities | CW4CJ 2023 Panel 3

The Caribbean region is susceptible to climate impacts such as hurricanes, sea level rise, erosions, droughts and floods. These extreme weather events have adverse impacts on lives, livelihoods and the built environment in both urban and rural areas. Global research has shown that natural disasters kill more women than men. As climate change worsens, adaptation and mitigation planning are critical in reducing the effect of climate hazards and other unavoidable impacts of climate change. Sustainable approaches to urban and rural planning necessitate inclusive design that takes into account the needs of all citizens. 

By mainstreaming gender into both urban and rural planning and design it is necessary to plan against and eliminate physical, social and economic  barriers faced by women and other minority groups. “Globally, only 5% of city leadership positions and 10% of senior architecture and urban planning positions are held by women.”

Objectives: 

• The panel discussion will explore the current built environment and the challenges it brings
• To understand how to implement urban planning and design through gendered lens
• To gain solutions for reducing  risks faced by women in climate vulnerable locations
• To gain best practices for designing/improving  spaces for people with disabilities

Panelists: 

• Dorraine Duncan
• Gabriel Gilkes
• Moriah Hamilton
• Dr. Vanessa L. Deane 
• Sian Cuffy Young

Moderator:  Kendria Ferguson

The Climate Conscious Podcast and The Breadfruit Collective hosted the second annual Caribbean Women for Climate Justice Conference from April 19- 23, 2022.  The conference was hosted with the support of Open Society Foundations and Caribbean Natural Resources Institute to facilitate dialogue on advancing gender and climate justice in the Caribbean and the establishment of a Collective Advocacy Agenda for the region.

To view Conference recordings visit our YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/@theclimateconsciouspodcast7236