The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2022 (IWD 2022), “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow,” recognizes the contribution of women around the world in leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response and to build a more sustainable future for all. The theme is apt because it lends importance to the position of women in the fight against climate change. While in developed countries, much has been achieved in the climate change domain, in developing countries, the need for gender parity in climate concerns in countries like India is vital as the country has a vast urban and rural divide. For example, India has announced that it would stop greenhouse emissions by 2070, while countries like US and UK are looking at a target as early as 2030.
The connection between climate change and women
The impact of climate change affects women and men differently across societies. Women are more often the primary agents in gathering and producing food, collecting water and sourcing fuel for heating and cooking. With climate change, these tasks have become tougher. Extreme weather events such as droughts and floods have a greater impact on the poor and most vulnerable – and nearly 70% of the world’s poor are women, according to the United Nations. Women face greater health and safety risks when water and sanitation systems breakdown as they take on increased domestic and care work. And when it comes to managing energy and waste, women are the most important decision-makers at home. Hence, climate action can only be successful or sustainable if it involves women. Recognizing this, the UN is trying to ensure that promoting women’s leadership in climate action is at the heart of its policies around the world.
It is also important to recognize that women have the knowledge and understanding of what is needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions and to craft practical solutions. However, women, who are one half of humankind, have been an untapped resource for very long. Lack of access to financial resources, restricted land rights, training and technology, and limited access to political decision-making spheres often prevent them from playing a comprehensive role in tackling climate change and related environmental challenges. In such a context, it is vital to give expression to the knowledge and capability that women possess as they play an important role in building effective climate change strategies for the benefit of all.
A global challenge of the 21st century is to advance gender equality in the context of the climate crisis as climate change and sustainability will continue to have lasting impacts on our environment and economic and social development. It needs to be understood that women are powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. They have to be involved in sustainability initiatives around the world as their participation and leadership results in more effective climate action. It is important to empower women to have a voice and be equal players in climate change decisions as this is essential for sustainability and greater gender parity.
What can be done to mitigate the challenge of gender inequality
The climate change negotiations of the United Nations have more recently reflected an increased understanding of the links between gender equality and response to climate change. It is necessary to promote gender balance, and articulate and achieve a gender-responsive climate policy. The Conference of the Parties (COP) which meets often should set the standard for drafting and implementation of a treaty on gender equality and climate change. At national and subnational levels too, it is important to have design and planning of policies, programmes and projects, and financing, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of plans on climate change involving women. There is also need to build policies based on women’s unique knowledge and perspectives that may make a positive difference to solutions needed to address gender concerns in climate change. Ultimately, it is important to ensure equal space and resources for women and men to participate in climate change decision making and action at all levels.