Emerging Countries Need Women-Led Climate Action

Why in News?

• While the climate change has affected the whole world in different forms in recent years, the low-income/emerging countries are the most affected.
• Women in these parts of the world are more vulnerable to climate change because of their dependence on natural resources and labour-intensive work.

Impact of Climate Change

• Frequent Floods and Droughts
  • Flooding is an increasing issue as the climate is changing. Compared to the beginning of the 20th century, there are both stronger and more frequent abnormally heavy precipitation events across the globe.
  • Also, drought is also becoming more common.
• Food Security
  • The food supply depends on climate and weather conditions.
  • Although farmers and researchers may be able to adapt through new agricultural techniques and technologies, some changes will be difficult to manage.
  • Increased temperatures, drought and water stress, diseases, and weather extremes create the problem of food security.
• Human Health
  • Climate change is already impacting human health. Changes in weather and climate patterns can put lives at risk. Heat is one of the deadliest weather phenomena.
  • Dry conditions lead to more wildfires, which bring many health risks.
  • Higher incidences of flooding can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, injuries, and chemical hazards.

Impact of Climate Change on Women

• The climate crisis is not gender neutral. Women across the world face severe risks to their health, safety, and quality of life.
• Women and girls experience the greatest impacts of climate change, which amplifies existing gender inequalities and poses unique threats to their livelihoods, health, and safety.
• The United Nations (2009) highlighted that women are highly vulnerable and disproportionately affected than men to the impact of climate change.

Reason Why Women in Low- Income Countries are Disproportionately Affected

• More Vulnerable Due to Labour-Intensive Work
  • Women in developing and less developed countries (especially in low-income areas) are dependent on natural resources and labour-intensive work for their livelihood.
  • Women, predominantly in South Asian and sub-Saharan African countries,engage in climate-vulnerable occupations such as farming.
• More Likely to Live in Poverty: Women are more likely to live in poverty than men, which is just one of several social, economic, and cultural variables that makes them more susceptible to the effects of climate change.
• Share More Responsibility
  • Women from low-income households are more at risk because they are more responsible for food, water, and other homely unpaid work.
  • Due to the climate crisis, more time and effort are needed to obtain basic necessities.
  • Rural women often shoulder the burden of ensuring access to clean water, adequate cooking fuel, and nutritious food for their families.
  • Women may be at increased risk for health and safety because they must travel long distances every day to collect water and fuel. 
• Underpaid and Overworked
  • According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), over 60% of working women in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are still in agriculture, where they are often underpaid and overworked.
  • Despite being the backbone of the food production system, women own only about 10% of the land used for farming.
• Lack of Education and Technical Knowledge Among Women Farmers
  • Women make up a disproportionately large portion of the agricultural workforce in emerging countries.
  • Climate change impacts agricultural productivity negatively and significantly. Heat stress affects workers a lot in this sector, especially in South Asia and Africa.
  • Women engaged in agriculture do not have access to quality inputs and possess low education and technical knowledge.
  • Thus, women farmers and labourers are vulnerable and seriously impacted.

Gender-Specific Issues That Women Face During Natural Disasters

• More Displacement of Women and Girls
  • Women, especially those from vulnerable communities, face particular difficulties during and after natural disasters. 
  • According to a UN study, most (80%) of those displaced by climate-related disasters are women and girls.
• More Exposed to Exploitation
  • When women are displaced, they are more vulnerable to prejudice and exploitation.
  • For instance, after the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, the UNFPA found women were more exposed to trafficking and exploitation. 
• Apart from above issues, there are multiple gender-specific issues that women in low-income countries face. Some of them include:
  • Separation from social networks,
  • A higher risk of gender-based violence,
  • Decreased access to employment, education, and essential health services, such as sexual and reproductive health care and psychosocial support.

Way Ahead to Create an Environment of Women-Led Climate Action

• Investment in Women’s Education and Training
  • Investments in women’s education, training, and access to resources are essential to make women resilient to the impact of climate change.
  • The negative impacts of climate change on people’s living standards can be reduced by teaching them how to practise sustainable agriculture, water management, and energy generation.
  • For example, in India, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) teaches women farmers how to respond to shifting climate patterns to support themselves better financially.
  • Therefore, it is essential to support groups that educate the public, train people to adapt to climate change and invest in women’s education and training in environmentally-friendly farming methods.
• Gender Parity in Policy Decision Making
  • Women’s participation in climate policy decision-making at all levels is crucial for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies as well as getting decent employment.
  • As women face greater risks in climate change, gender parity in decision-making bodies is essential.
  • One such programme in South Asia is the Gender and Climate Change Development Programme,which aims to increase women’s influence in policymaking by providing them with a stronger voice.
  • Globally, similar efforts are required for efficient climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Conclusion

• The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges that the world is facing today.
• It poses threats to ways of life, livelihoods, health, safety and security for women and girls around the world.
• Therefore, developing and emerging countries urgently need to frame and implement a comprehensive women-led climate action plan.

Q1) How can people reduce the risks of climate change?

People can reduce the risks of climate change by making choices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and by preparing for the changes expected in the future. Decisions that people make today will shape the world for decades and even centuries to come. Communities can also prepare for the changes in the decades ahead by identifying and reducing their vulnerabilities and considering climate risks in planning and development. Such actions can ensure that the most vulnerable populations—such as young children, older adults, and people living in poverty—are protected from the health and safety threats of climate change.

Q2) How vulnerable is India?

The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 had ranked India 7th in the list of most affected countries in terms of exposure and vulnerability to climate risk events. India’s diverse climate is not only exposed to different temperature and precipitation patterns, but is also vulnerable to extreme weather events, posing wide-ranging spatial and temporal implications for the economy.

Source: The Hindu