Gender and Climate Justice by COPGendered

To enhance the efficacy of strategies addressing climate change, it is imperative to leverage the expertise of women across various domains. Women play pivotal roles in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, household management, income generation and in political spheres. Despite the prevailing discourse highlighting the vulnerability of women in the Global South to the impacts of climate change, it is crucial to recognise their proactive engagement in developing adaptation strategies. Women, often faced with unequal access to resources and bearing a disproportionate burden of climate change risks, exhibit remarkable resilience. They not only confront challenges but emerge as agents of change. While acknowledging the heightened vulnerability of women, it is equally important to underscore their role as key contributors to sustainable solutions. Efforts towards gender equality and the inclusion of women in decision-making processes are paramount in steering the trajectory towards a sustainable future. The intersectionality lens encourages a more comprehensive understanding of gender dynamics.

Scholars have critiqued the depiction of women in the climate discourse as merely “vulnerable”. Consequently, the focus has shifted towards recognising the agency, skills, and voices of women who defy the portrayal of inherent victimhood. Despite the myriad challenges women encounter in diverse societal contexts, they actively seek alternative avenues for self-empowerment. Organising at different levels from local grassroots to international cooperation, women resist oppressive systems and establish networks that afford them collective power to pursue common objectives. This collective action not only provides a platform for resistance but also cultivates opportunities for resilient livelihoods. In adopting a policy-oriented tone, it is imperative to highlight the agency of women in the face of climate change challenges.

A demonstrable example of women’s agency can be seen in their political participation, as research reveals that countries with more women in parliament often implement stringent climate change policies. Therefore, the increased presence of women in government correlates with stronger climate policies. Furthermore, women and girls around the world have been at the forefront of climate activism and have used a variety of methods to protect, restore and regenerate the environment. This can be seen in the Pallur Dalit Women’s Collective which began in 2016 when 40 landless Dalit women reclaimed over seven acres of illegally occupied land in their community to promote food sovereignty through collective farming. Girl-led and youth-led groups, networks, and collectives are emerging as influential voices, actively advocating for the integration of gender equality concerns into discussions on climate change. Some of these vital voices include Ainura Sagyn, Autumn Peltier, Disha Ravi, Elizabeth Wathuti, Greta Thunberg, Hilda Flavia Nakabuye, Howey Ou, Isra Hirsi, Luisa Neubauer, Vanessa Nakate and Xiye Bastida.