Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, Inc.An NGO that is 32 years old nowEnvisions empowered, self-reliant coastal communities sustainably living in harmony with abundant and diverse coastal and marine environmentFacilitating the emergence of sustainable, vibrant and diverse coastal communities of empowered men and women fisherfolk forms the core of its philosophy.

On Women Vulnerability to Climate, Change CERD Believes that:Women are already vulnerable because the current relations advantages men more than women- in the family, education, employment and livelihoods, in institutions and structuresTheir vulnerability is heightened by climate change; therefore it is important to know their nuanced situationWomen not just victims; they are capable of contributing to solutions and thus should be involved in decision making processes

BiriMondragonHinatuanMarihatagCurrent CERD AreasCERD is currently in 4 municipalities, namely Biri and Mondragon in Northern Samar, and Hinatuan and Marihatag in Surigao del Sur

The Philippines is naturally vulnerable.There are 7 main basins of tropical cyclone formation, and the Western North Pacific Ocean is by far the most active basin. Tropical storm activity in this region frequently affects China, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan. This basin accounts for one third of all tropical cyclone activity in the world

Archipelagic country composed of 7,100 islands and isletsBounded by 3 large bodies of water: South China Sea, Pacific Ocean and Celebes Sea

The Philippines is an archipelagic country

The Women in FisheriesDoing 50-90% of fishing activities from pre to post harvestAlso earns income by gathering shells and other marine products in mangrove areas, seagrass beds, reef flat areas and beach areas, as well as seaweed farming

Challenges Faced by WomenFish catch is declining due to coastal and marine resources degradation Women have the burden of seeking additional sources of income. With the destruction of mangroves and seagrass beds, productive and reproductive work of women increased; lead to time poverty

Experienced Impacts of Climate ChangeBy year 2000 - changing rainy and hot weather patterns. Amihan has hot days. Lenten season which used to be hot now has heavy rainsMore intense typhoons, making it difficult to go out fishingDiseases and foul smell in some species of fish like kikiro, budas, danggitIt is more difficult to gather shells because they bury themselves in the sand, believed to be caused by intense heatTidal levels continue to increase such that coconut trees fell due to erosion

Increasing tidal level threatens dwelling places, burdening the women who are in charge of maintaining the householdLoss of mangrove areas also meant loss of income for the women

Fisherwomen patrolling the seasWomen Initiatives to Adapt to Climate ChangeWomen are involved in the establishment of Marine Protected AreasThey also participate in roving and apprehension, and are not afraid to face fishing violators

Because mangrove areas are important source of income for them, they also protect these areas through mangrove reforestation and establishment of Women-Managed AreaFisherwomen doing mangrove reforestation

Women contribute to family income by having their own livelihood activities in addition to their participation in fishing activities

Challenges

SummaryWomen are vulnerable due to time and economic poverty, as well as limited involvement/ participation in community managementSaid vulnerabilities are exacerbated by climate change through intensified need to engage in livelihood coupled with need to address other emerging concerns in the reproductive sphere, e.g. health, food and well-being, including security of settlements

However women also have inherent capacities to adapt -They have knowledge of existing resources, and have the capacity to manage these resources (e.g.WMAs)They are organized (or can be organized)Have expertise not only in productive work but also in reproductive work like health/caregivingAdaptation strategies should therefore include building on the capacities of women through their involvement in community governanceAdaptation strategies to be meaningful for women, should address both their productive and reproductive concerns such as livelihoods, food security, health and general well-being

Before I proceed let me introduce my organization.*Even before we include climate change phenomenon in the picture, the country is naturally vulnerable. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and is therefore frequented by earthquakes. It is located in the Pacific Ocean and is therefore frequented by typhoons. *Its being archipelagic also aggravates the effects of earthquakes and typhoons like tsunami, storm surges, rising tidal levels. In addition, fishing is an important source of livelihood.**Even before climate change comes into play, the women are already facing several challenges.*The coastal communities are already experiencing the effects of extreme changes in climate and weather conditions. They had experienced too much rainfall and stronger typhoons causing floods. The stronger winds brought about by stronger typhoons exposed the coastal communities to stronger wave actions, making it more difficult for them to go fishing or travel from the islands to the mainland. *The small islands are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise as it can cause substantial loss of lands. With the coastal communities living in foreshore areas, loss of settlement is a real threat.

**Women actually have very little economic empowerment to speak of, if there is at all. This is due to limited opportunities to earn livelihood owing to very limited access to basic resources. Climate change further limits their economic capacity because resources available to them are affected.**