Achi news desk-
For 48-year-old Rozeena Bibi, life in the remote village of Sherqilla, Gilgit-Baltistan, was simple. She grew staples such as wheat and corn, raised some livestock, and looked after her family. Her life changed, however, when a flood swept through the valley, washing away her fields and her house.
She was forced to migrate to the city of Gilgit, the seat of power in the territory in northern Pakistan.
There, she had to work several jobs as a cleaner to support her three children and her husband.
“[Our house was] declared them unfit to live in (by finding how dangerous the site the house was built on) was inspected by the Pakistani government and ordered to move immediately from there,” recalls Rozeena, adding that they had were forced to move to the city of Gilgit because the floods were caused by climate change.
Pakistan is ranked seventh among the countries most affected by climate change. Over the past two decades, Pakistan has seen 139 natural disasters, including some that have been devastating. The 2022 floods affected over a third of Pakistan’s territory. According to the Federal Flood Commission, the adoption of modern technology is necessary to protect the country from the effects of climate change.
Although the government assessed that their home was unsafe to live in, Rozeena claims that the government gave them little support.
Unable to return, she has had to build a new life in the city.
“I have three children while my husband has become addicted to drugs and he does not do any work,” lamented Rozeena, adding that she was forced to work to cover their living expenses.
Rozeena said the only work she could find was as a cleaner. He got several jobs in schools and offices around the city of Gilgit.
“I go to school at 6 in the morning and clean there until the end of the afternoon. Sometimes I come back at 4pm or 5pm and clean some offices. After that, I come home and tend to do some housework,” she said The Friday Times, crying that she is facing a bundle of problems. I go to the market alone to buy flour and oil and do everything myself.
When asked if she received any help when the floods came, Rozeena said they did not get rations or money.
“Inflation is quite high, but the government has not provided any help.”
She, however, still hopes to return to her native village and resume farming.
According to the United Nations, around 80% of the people displaced by climate change are women or girls. These people face increased risks from poverty, violence, or unintended pregnancy as they migrate from disaster-stricken areas to safer locations.
Women’s vulnerability to climate change stems from several factors, including social, economic and cultural factors. Around 70% of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty are women. In urban areas, 40% of the poorest households are headed by women. Despite that, women dominate the world’s food production workforce (50-80 per cent) but own less than 10% of the land.
Environmental experts warn that Pakistan is at the mercy of climate change, and urgent measures are needed to reduce the damage caused by climate change.
