Gender and urban climate policy

A 2010 study of climate change in South Africa found that the impacts of climate variability were differentiated by gender; men and women had unequal distribution of roles and responsibilities, with women bearing the greatest burden. They had extra workloads, both emotional and physical, as they coped with new challenges while also undertaking care work. These impacts are further heightened by factors like unemployment, HIV/AIDS and poverty. New activities undertaken by women reshaped relationships between men and women. The study found that laws and constitutional provisions on women’s equality were not sufficient to ensure women’s well-being, and recommended gender mainstreaming in climate change and drawing on women’s knowledge and determination with regards to climate change in order to address gender issues and social change. You can read about the study in greater detail: