Climate crisis is not gender-neutral

Source: The post climate crisis is not gender-neutral has been created, based on the article “The climate crisis is not gender neutral” published in “The Hindu” on 10th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1- Society-Role of women and women’s organization and GS. Paper3- environment-Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

News: This article explains how climate change impacts women and girls more, especially in poor and rural areas. It discusses the need for climate action that includes women, as they can offer important solutions and should be seen as agents of change, not just victims. Climate crisis is not gender-neutral

Why is climate crisis not gender-neutral?

Higher Risk in Disasters: Women and children are 14 times more likely to die in disasters, as noted by the UNDP. This shows gender disparities in vulnerability and mortality rates during climate crises.

Increased Domestic Burden: In India, climate-induced crop failures lead to increased workload for women in agriculture, alongside health issues and domestic violence. Men face social stigma from unpaid loans, but women bear the brunt of increased domestic responsibilities.

Gender-Based Violence: Studies link natural disasters to a rise in gender-based violence. Women living in disaster-prone areas experience more intimate partner violence and undernourishment.

Health Risks in Heatwaves: Women, especially pregnant ones, are more vulnerable to health risks during heatwaves. Prolonged heat exposure leads to higher risks of preterm birth and other health complications.

Water Scarcity Impacts: Climate change affecting water availability increases the burden on women, who typically manage water resources in households. This impacts their time for productive work and health care.

For information on Climate Change and Gendered Vulnerabilities read here

Why are women important in climate action?

Effective Agricultural Practices: When given the same resources as men, women can increase agricultural yields by 20-30%. This shows their potential in enhancing food security under changing climatic conditions.

Local Knowledge and Solutions: Women, particularly from tribal and rural areas, have been at the forefront of environmental conservation. Their involvement can lead to more effective, locally-relevant climate solutions.

Empowering Women Benefits All: Empowering women with knowledge, tools, and resources enables them to contribute significantly to climate action. This helps in creating sustainable, community-based solutions.

Gender-Specific Needs and Strengths: Recognizing the unique needs and strengths of women in climate action plans leads to more comprehensive and effective strategies. It ensures a gender-balanced approach to climate adaptation and resilience building.

For more information read here

What should be done?

Prioritize Vulnerable Groups in Heatwave Protection: Implement measures to protect groups like outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants, and the elderly from extreme heat, as cities experience excess deaths during heatwaves.

Enhance Water Resource Management: Revitalize traditional rainwater harvesting systems, as exemplified by the work in Tamil Nadu by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, to combat water scarcity.

Empower Local Communities: Enable village-level decision-making and action, particularly empowering women in panchayats and Self-help Groups, for effective local climate resilience.

Adopt Gender-Inclusive Climate Policies: Integrate a gender perspective in State Action Plans on Climate Change, moving beyond stereotypes and acknowledging women as key agents of change.

Urban Planning for Heat Mitigation: Adopt strategies like painting roofs with reflective paint, improving tree cover, and enhancing green spaces, as demonstrated by the Mahila Housing Trust in Udaipur, to reduce urban heat effects.

Question for practice:

Examine how climate change impacts women and girls differently, and why their inclusion is crucial in climate action efforts?