WOMEN should be included in decision-making processes related to climate adaptation and mitigation as they are disproportionately impacted by climate change, said Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Speaking at the Associated Country Women Of The World (ACWW) Triennial World Conference, Tengku Hassanal said women’s voices should be heard at all stages of decision-making.

“It is also important to ensure women have access to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, and that their health needs are taken into account in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts,” he said at the event.

The event was attended by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

Tengku Hassanal said ACWW had highlighted that climate change could have a significant impact on women’s health, particularly where natural disasters are frequent and severe.

He said addressing gender-specific impacts of climate change will create more equitable and sustainable solutions for all.

“This is work that ACWW has been doing at the local, national and international levels and will continue to do well into the future. You have my support and best wishes,” he said.

Also present at the event were Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

ACWW was founded in 1929 to unite rural women and their organisations across the globe, and seeks to address challenges they faced due to community isolation, discrimination, and lack of standing in political processes. – Bernama, May 19, 2023.