INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 8 MARCH 2022

Choose a Fair Trade sun hat for sun protection - but also for environmental care, poverty reduction, gender equality. Don’t forget the head issues.
In the photo: Fair Trade sun hat braided of the artisans’ local natural fibres: sun-dried, nature white raffia palm leaves. A small photo shows artisan Madame Clarisse with one of the little girls in the village whose future is improved by the mothers' hat production. - It is about women's power over their situation and finances… today and as role models for daughters.

GENDER EQUALITY TODAY FOR A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW
Gender equality is not just a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful and sustainable world. Promoting gender equality in the context of the climate crisis is one of the biggest global challenges of the 21st century. The UN's theme for International Women's Day 2022 is "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow". The theme is a recognition of women and girls who around the world take leadership for climate adaptation and reduced climate impact - and thus the building of a sustainable future for all.

CLIMATE CRISIS
The climate crisis is not "gender neutral". Women and girls are experiencing the greatest effects of climate change. The climate crisis exacerbates gender inequalities and poses specific threats to women's livelihoods, health and safety. All over the world, women are more dependent on - but have less access to - natural resources. In many regions, women have a disproportionate responsibility to secure food, water and fuel. UN Women explains the interconnection of gender inequality and climate change in an International Women’s Day 2022 article. 
The year 2022 has begun with Madagascar being hit by two cyclones and two tropical storms in a month: January 22 tropical storm Ana, February 5 cyclone Batsirai, February 15 tropical storm Dumako and February 21 cyclone Emnati. Storms and cyclones that have caused great losses in human lives, destroyed homes and infrastructure. "Even though it is a cyclonic season in the Indian Ocean, it is rare to see four storms hit the same country within four weeks," said Clare Nullis of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the UN article, which also reminds of perennial drought for some time back causes famine in the southern part of the country: 2021 was the fourth year of drought and increasingly severe famine in southern Madagascar. As a result of the combination of drought and Covid19, extreme poverty in Madagascar is estimated to have increased to 79.7% of the population by 2020.
See menu selection La Maison Afrique FAIR TRADE crafts for Sustainable Development for more information on Fair Trade as a good tool for Sustainable Development