Climate disasters distinctly affect women

UNDP, climate ministry training on GLOFs, rains, other disasters

ISLAMABAD:

As Pakistan deals with one climate catastrophe after another, from record rain and flooding to intense temperatures and melting glaciers, there has been intense debate on awareness and collective corrective action to combat the dangers posed by Pakistan’s vulnerability to climatic events.

As part of such efforts, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan concluded a series of training for journalists on responsible reporting on climate change and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

The two-day training in Islamabad was the last of the training series organized by UNDP’s GLOF-II Project. It was a joint initiative with the Ministry of Climate Change and supported by the Green Climate Fund.

Twenty-five journalists participated in the training, through which they were briefed on the catastrophic impacts of GLOFs, torrential rains, and floods; and how climate-induced disasters disproportionately affect women and girls.

Two such trainings were rolled out in Swat and Skardu. It included discussions on digital journalism ethics, storytelling, multimedia reporting, narrative journalism, creative formats, hand-held shooting techniques and journalists’ safety and security.

UNDP’s GLOF-II project operates in 16 valleys of Gilgit Baltistan and eight valleys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Since these valleys are highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters such as GLOFs, these trainings aim to equip journalists to responsibly report on the experiences of the disaster-affected communities, especially those of women and girls.

“Northern Pakistan’s topography is rich with snow-capped mountains and monumental glaciers. However, it is unfortunate that these glaciers are rapidly melting due to the escalating climate, making communities prone to high climate risk” highlighted Amir Khan Goraya, who is the assistant resident representative for UNDP.

“This is precisely why journalists need to be highly vigilant, responsible, and ethically charged in reporting on climate-induced disasters,” he said while was addressing the concluding ceremony of the training.

He urged the journalist fraternity to ensure inclusive reporting for providing a voice to the marginalized factions of society.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2023.