From my colleague, Tonya Rawe, CARE's Senior Policy Advocate on climate change and the linkage between food security and climate change.

Last week, I participated in a discussion panel following the release of Population Action International’s latest film, Weathering Change: Stories about climate and family from women around the world (www.weatheringchange.org). The film highlights the ways in which women struggle to care for their families and how climate change is impacting their lives. PAI asked me to share CARE’s perspective on climate change and how women are often disproportionately vulnerable to climate impacts.

Ellen Carmichael is traveling on a CARE Learning Tour, a comprehensive, multi-day tour for policymakers and those who can influence policy to gain firsthand knowledge of the core issues poor communities' face. She is a field coordinator with CARE USA’s Policy and Advocacy Unit. To learn more about the Learning Tours Program, please visit: www.care.org/learningtour

Juliana Kabanya gave birth to her first child 52 years ago. She has lived with obstetric fistula ever since. Obstetric fistula is a severe medical condition in which a hole develops between either the rectum or bladder and vagina due to complications during childbirth. A woman living with fistula is often ostracized from her community and abandoned by her husband. Juliana’s fistula was caused by complications during the delivery of her first child. Shortly after giving birth Juliana sought treatment for her condition, but she could not find a doctor who could repair her condition. She gave up hope, thinking that it a cure was impossible. She tried to live a normal life and gave birth to seven more children.