Elnur Soltanov: Mostly women suffer from water-related dangers of climate change

Water is the primary medium through which the impacts of climate change are transmitted to humans, Elnur Soltanov, Azerbaijani Deputy Energy Minister and CEO of COP29, said at a conference held in Baku themed "Water and Gender Equality," Report informs.

Soltanov emphasized that rising ocean levels, declining levels of the Caspian and Urmia lakes, diminishing freshwater resources, droughts, floods, storms, and hurricanes are all water-related phenomena. "According to some estimates, up to 90% of the consequences of climate change are transmitted to humans, nature, and living beings through water," he said.

Soltanov highlighted that women continue to hold a politically weak position in water-related issues, primarily because they have a smaller role in decision-making processes. Despite this, he believes that women are the most affected by the impacts of climate change.

Touching on the economic situation of women, the Deputy Minister stated that men are more involved in income-generating economic activities, while women are forced to do household chores. "Although these chores are more difficult, they are activities that do not create monetary value and are not monetized," he added.

"Moreover, household tasks such as preparing food, cleaning, and sanitation fall on women's shoulders. During natural disasters like storms, women are more likely to lose their lives due to their weaker abilities and lack of skills like climbing trees compared to men."