As we celebrate World Environment Day, it’s important to recognize the connection between women and the environment. Climate change is not gender-neutral and it affects women in particular ways. Women are often the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their roles in agriculture, water management, and natural resource management. Climate change has a disproportionate impact on women and girls, exacerbating existing inequalities and threatening their health, livelihoods, and well-being.
For instance, women and girls are more likely to suffer from water scarcity, as they are responsible for collecting water for households and agriculture. Climate change is also responsible for the increase in natural disasters, which often leads to displacement, loss of homes and livelihoods. Women and girls are at a higher risk of violence and exploitation during such times.
Here are a few statistics on how women are adversely affected by climate change:
– Women and girls are responsible for collecting water for households and agriculture in 80% of households without access to piped water. As a result, they are disproportionately affected by water scarcity caused by climate change. (UN Women, 2021)
– Women are 14 times more likely to die during a climate-related disaster than men. This is due in part to the fact that women are often responsible for caring for children and elderly relatives, and may have limited mobility or access to information during disaster events. (UN Women, 2021)
– Women make up 70% of the world’s smallholder farmers, who are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures. (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2011)
– In some regions, women and girls spend up to six hours a day collecting fuelwood, which contributes to deforestation and reduces their time for education and other productive activities. (UN Women, 2021)
However, women are not just victims of climate change, they are also agents of change. Women have unique knowledge and skills in natural resource management, and they are often the key players in community-based adaptation efforts. There are many examples of women-led initiatives that are making a positive impact on the environment, such as reforestation, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
To address the impact of climate change on women, we need to adopt a gender-sensitive approach to climate change policy and action. This means recognizing the different needs, priorities, and perspectives of women and men, and ensuring their full participation in decision-making processes. We need to empower women and girls to become agents of change, by providing them with education, training, and resources.