Gender and Climate Crisis – 30 Years after the Beijing Declaration

Source: The post Gender and Climate Crisis – 30 Years after the Beijing Declaration has been created, based on the article “The Beijing India Report as milestone and opportunity” published in “The Hindu” on 12  April 2025. Beijing declaration and platform for action 30+

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Governance-mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: The article reflects on the 30-year journey since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration for gender equality. While it helped India improve laws like the Domestic Violence Act and POSH Act, gaps remain in their implementation. A major concern today is the intersection of gender and climate change, which is largely overlooked in policymaking and reporting.

For detailed information on India’s Progress in Advancing Gender Equality  read this article here

Impact of Climate Change on Women’s Health, Work, and Safety

1. Health: Over 50% of pregnant women in India are anaemic. Food insecurity, worsened by climate change, makes women 1.6 times more likely to suffer from anaemia.
2. Safety: Rising temperatures have been linked to increased violence. A 1°C rise leads to an 8% increase in physical violence and 7.3% in sexual violence against women.
3. Livelihoods: Extreme weather affects agriculture and infrastructure, reducing women’s income opportunities and access to services.
4. Workload: Climate change increases women’s unpaid care responsibilities, impacting their productivity and wellbeing.

Gender Integration Is Crucial in Climate Policies

1. Vulnerability: Women in rural India are more affected by climate change. Girls drop out of school due to climate-induced migration. Health risks from malnutrition and heat exposure are higher among women.
2. Economic Impact: Climate change causes about 33% loss in income from non-farm activities, weakening women’s economic stability.
3. Policy Gaps: Only 6% of climate policies mention women, showing the need for inclusive frameworks that reflect women’s experiences.
4. Unpaid Labor: Due to climate-related scarcity of water and fuel, women’s unpaid work may rise to 8.3 hours daily by 2050, increasing physical and emotional stress.

Role of Women in Climate Adaptation

1. Traditional Knowledge: Women apply their understanding of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management to protect local ecosystems.
2. Seed Preservation: They preserve climate-resilient seeds, vital for adapting to changing weather patterns.
3. Food Production: Women produce half of the world’s food and have adapted their farming techniques to climate variations.
4. Community Leadership: They lead collectives that share work, raise productivity, and respond first in disasters.
5. Urban Engagement: In cities, women focus on waste management and pollution control, leading community-level initiatives.

What Must Be Done to Make Climate Policies Gender-Responsive?

1. Incorporate a Gender Lens: The Beijing+30 India Report should address gendered climate vulnerabilities and women’s roles in climate resilience.
2. Develop Gender-Audited Budgets: Design climate budgets that directly address women’s needs and prevent greenwashing or misuse of funds.
3. Enhance Women’s Leadership: Encourage women’s participation in climate decisions, both in local governanceand green energy projects.
4. Establish Support Hubs: Create community centers focused on health, disaster support, and migration-related risks for women.
5. Invest in Research: Increase gender-specific climate research to guide inclusive policy actions and monitor outcomes effectively.

How Can Partnerships and the Private Sector Support Women in Climate Action?

1. Fund Women-Led Innovations: Prioritize green funds for women-led and supportive climate resilience projects.
2. Ensure Technological Access: Provide women with access to climate-resilient technologies and services.
3. Promote Green Entrepreneurship: Support women in starting green businesses and sustainable services.
4. Build Skills: Offer training and skilling programs that prepare women for non-farm livelihoods affected by climate change.
5. Encourage Cooperation: Promote partnerships among government, civil society, private sector, and international groups to build women’s leadership in climate resilience.

Question for practice:

Examine how climate change disproportionately affects women in India and the measures needed to make climate policies gender-responsive.