Gender and Climate Justice by COPGendered

The disproportionate impact of climate change on women in comparison to men is intricately linked to various societal, cultural, and economic factors. The fundamental query, "Why does climate change impact women differently than men?" has been scrutinised by experts in the climate field, with a resounding response pointing to gender inequality. The United Nations underscores that gender inequality, coupled with the climate crisis, constitutes one of the most formidable threats to women’s livelihoods, health, safety, and security globally. Consequently, it is imperative to acknowledge that climate change acts as a catalyst, reinforcing existing gender disparities, and rendering it inherently non-gender neutral. Globally, women bear the responsibility of sustaining households by ensuring access to food, water, and fuel. Despite agriculture being a pivotal sector for women’s employment in the Global South, women still have limited access to land and other natural resources, which leads to their dependence on their husbands’ decisions. The pressure on young girls to leave school prematurely to take up household duties further exemplifies this inequality. Moreover, women’s and girls’ health is adversely impacted by climate change, as they grapple with limited resources to access essential services and healthcare. 

During climate disasters, women's vulnerability intensifies, diseases proliferate and childbirth becomes more perilous, with a greater risk of death for both mother and child. Women also play a central role as primary caretakers of families, ensuring the safety of their children during crises. As food becomes scarce due to insufficient rainfall, women often sacrifice their own nutrition to feed their families. Women also bear the brunt of water scarcity, facing the perils of long journeys in search of clean water during droughts. This exposes them to heightened risks such as sexual assault, harassment, and human trafficking. The domestic sphere is not exempt from dangers, with GBV rates, including domestic violence, surging during climate disasters. Furthermore, the aftermath of climate-related disasters often forces women into precarious situations. Fleeing from flooded homes, they seek shelter in informal urban settlements, commonly referred to as urban slums, living in uncertain and vulnerable conditions. Women’s lack of access to social, economic, and educational capital makes them particularly vulnerable to the existential threat posed by climate change. 

Recent research suggests a shift in perspective concerning gender-related vulnerabilities in the context of the climate crisis. Rather than solely examining the direct effects of climate on gendered vulnerabilities, emphasis should be placed on comprehending the dynamic nature of these vulnerabilities. Women are not vulnerable because they are women, but because of socially constructed patriarchal power structures that they often live within. These power structures result in restricted access to essential resources and public services, limited educational opportunities, and constraints on owning land. Women typically possess fewer businesses, encounter challenges in formal employment, and encounter barriers in accessing credit and financial resources compared to men. A significant portion of unpaid carework falls upon women within families. These responsibilities encompass tasks such as procuring water and food, duties that become increasingly burdensome in climate-vulnerable areas where resources are scarce. The existing gendered division of labour further exacerbates the challenges faced by women.

Essentially, individuals’ adaptive capacity is intricately linked to factors such as gender, socioeconomic background, financial resources, power dynamics and access to and control over essential resources, notably land. The extent of gender inequality in these factors directly correlates with the challenges women face in implementing effective adaptation strategies. Addressing and mitigating these disparities is imperative for the development of robust policy frameworks aimed at enhancing women’s resilience in the face of climate-induced challenges.