How Gender Inequality is affecting Climate Change?

Ritisha Gajwani

Published in

Such Conversations Matter

4 min readAug 26, 2023

“We are not inheriting the earth from our ancestors; we are borrowing it from our children.” , Medha Patkar

How Gender Inequality is Affecting Climate Change?

Backstory

Growing up in the serene city of Bhopal, I was fortunate to be surrounded by natural beauty. The lush forests, shimmering lakes, and vibrant biodiversity became an integral part of my upbringing. My school nestled in a beautiful valley. Bird songs filled the air, their sweet melodies serving as the soundtrack. Even on dull days, this serene natural beauty was my motivation to attend school.

But things changed when I moved to Delhi for my undergraduate studies. It was a big shift from the calmness of Bhopal to the busy city life of Delhi. Tall buildings made of concrete replaced the familiar sights of forests and lakes. As I took my first breaths in the city, I noticed a subtle change. The air was laced with tiny particles, and harmful substances that we unknowingly inhaled with every breath.

It was a reminder of the invisible enemy that surrounded us — pollution.

I had heard stories of how Delhi used to be a vibrant and clean city, but now it seemed as if pollution had become an inseparable part of its identity. Determined to understand the cause of this environmental crisis, I started researching, looking for answers. As I delved deeper, I stumbled upon a fascinating connection between CO2 emissions and gender equality. It was a revelation that piqued my interest and sparked a fire within me to dig even further.

Through my research, I uncovered a troubling truth: women were disproportionately affected by the negative impact of CO2 emissions.

Women are more vulnerable?

Research shows that women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change in three aspects: biological, social and economical.

Biological Aspect

Increasing frequency of extreme heat could result in adverse reproductive outcomes like preterm delivery.
Shifting rainfall and temperature patterns could imply food insecurity. This could impact women as they suffer with higher macro and micro nutrient deficiencies, deficiencies due to menstruation, pregnancy and nursing.

Social Aspect

According to the 2023 Gender Social Norms Index given by UNDP, close to 9 out of 10 men and women hold fundamental biases against women.
In many societies, socio-cultural norms and childcare responsibilities prevent women from migrating or seeking refuge in other places or working when a disaster hits.

Economic Aspect

70% of the 1.3 billion people living in conditions of poverty are women. In urban areas, 40% of the poorest households are headed by women. Women predominate in the world’s food production (50–80 per cent), but they own less than 10 per cent of the land.

Underrepresentation of Women in Climate Change

Men fill 67% of climate-related decision-making roles and women’s representation in national and global climate negotiating bodies remains below 30%.

Did you know that countries with higher gender equality tend to have lower greenhouse gas emissions? Research has shown that a 1%-point increase in the % of female managers within the firm leads to a 0.5% decrease in CO2 emissions.

Firms with greater gender diversity reduced their CO2 emissions by about 5% more than firms with more male managers. By investing in gender equality, we not only uplift women but also contribute to a greener, more eco-conscious future.

From the Chipko Movement to Present Day

The historic Chipko Movement in the 1970s witnessed the profound and instrumental role of women in protecting forests from commercial logging. These women, primarily from rural communities, intimately understood the interdependence between the forests and their livelihoods. They hugged trees and formed human shields to prevent the destruction. Their presence challenged traditional gender roles, demonstrating that women were not merely passive observers but active agents of change.

From the historical Chipko Movement in the 1970s to the present day, these women have set in motion a transformative ripple effect, igniting awareness and inspiring meaningful action to address climate change, global warming, and the pressing issues of our time.

This journey doesn’t conclude with pinpointing problems; it extends to amplifying voices, inciting transformation, and collaborating for a planet that thrives in balance. The increasing urgency of these issues necessitates our united efforts, driving us to navigate the complex terrain of intersectionality with empathy, determination, and inclusivity.