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PUTRAJAYA: Women must have access to healthcare and their health needs must be taken into account in adapting to climate change, says the Regent of Pahang.
Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah (pic) said it is also important for women to be heard and included in all stages of decision making, from planning to implementation.
"Women are disproportionately impacted by climate change but are not always included in decision-making processes, including those related to climate adaptation and mitigation.
"By addressing the gender-specific impacts of climate change, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all," he said in his keynote address at the Associated Country Women of The World (ACWW) 30th triennial world conference here on Friday (May 19).
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah opened the conference.
Also present were Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and ACWW president world president Magdie de Kock.
Tengku Hassanal also spoke about the environment, an issue he has been championing.
He said the transition to a sustainable economy is critical, and a sustainable economy is one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
"It involves a shift away from the linear, resource-intensive economic model that is driving climate change towards a circular, regenerative economy that prioritises sustainability, social equity and environmental protection," he added.
Tengku Hassanal said Malaysia was vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and changes in rainfall patterns.
These impacts, he said, could have significant consequences for the economy, particularly in the agricultural and tourism sectors.
"However, it is not too late to take action. By implementing sustainable natural resource management practices, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve our planet for future generations," he said.
The Regent also pointed out the importance of responsible use of water resources, adding that water scarcity was becoming an increasingly significant problem, affecting more than 40% of the global population.
"Climate change is exacerbating this problem by altering precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency and severity of droughts.
"To address this issue, we must implement sustainable water management practices such as rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and water-use efficiency measures.
"These practices can help to conserve water resources and reduce the demand for fresh water," said Tengku Hassanal.
The ACWW was founded in 1929 to bring together rural women and their organisations from all over the world.
The conference aims at building networks and fostering greater cooperation among women, locally and abroad, apart from sharing knowledge through plenary sessions and educational visits.
