Rural communities worldwide are facing escalating challenges due to the climate crisis, with disasters becoming more frequent and severe. Women in these communities bear the heaviest burden, experiencing significant financial losses from heat stress, floods, and droughts. The 2024 FAO report, "The Unjust Climate: Measuring the impacts of climate change on the rural poor, women, and youth," sheds light on the disproportionate impact of climate change on rural women in low- and middle-income countries. It reveals that female-headed farming households suffer billions of dollars in losses annually, widening the income gap between men and women. The report delves into climate impacts on women across 24 countries over 70 years, analysing daily climate data against incomes of 100,000+ households, impacting nearly a billion individuals. It reveals heightened losses in households led by women while shedding light on gender disparities exacerbated by climate change.

Health Impacts

Climate change's impact on global health is increasingly profound, with extreme weather events, heatwaves, water scarcity, and air pollution exacerbating health issues and straining healthcare systems worldwide. While previous climate discussions often prioritised energy, transportation, and agriculture, health concerns remained marginalised. Recognizing this critical intersection, COP28, the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference marked a significant shift by formally including health on its agenda, with health ministers participating alongside their counterparts from agriculture, foreign affairs, and environment ministries. It emphasises the need for governments to prioritise healthcare system resilience, emissions reduction, increased funding for climate-health initiatives, and social equity in climate policies.

However, despite this progress, the COP28 declaration does not specifically address the disproportionate impact of climate change on women. WHO documents highlight that women's health effects due to climate change remain underreported and underestimated. The UN Women's report at COP28 projects that by 2050, climate change could push millions more women and girls into poverty and food insecurity. Extreme weather events force many, especially women, into migration, facing heightened risks like poverty, violence, or health complications. Moreover, women face unique challenges post-disasters, including limited access to clean water and sanitation, exacerbating health risks. The implications extend to reproductive health, with rising temperatures linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term health effects in newborns. Addressing these gender-specific impacts requires integrating women's health into climate policies and disaster relief efforts, alongside broader initiatives like family planning programs to promote gender equality and societal development.

Economic Disparities Social Impacts

The crucial link between gender equity and climate change has often been overlooked. However, recent data and research underscore the urgent need to address the disparate effects of climate change on women and the critical role of gender equality in effective climate action. Women and girls bear a disproportionate burden from climate change impacts due to their roles in resource procurement, caregiving responsibilities, and vulnerability to gender-based violence. Climate change acts as a "threat multiplier," escalating existing social, political, and economic tensions, especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas, further endangering women's lives and well-being. Additionally, climate-related health risks, such as increased incidence of vector-borne diseases and maternal health complications, pose significant challenges to women's health and reproductive rights. 

According to a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry, it has been found that the environmental risks of climate change are worsening social hazards. It states that rising temperatures are linked to a surge in domestic violence against women, particularly notable in India. A mere 1-degree Celsius rise in yearly average temperature corresponds to a 4.5% uptick in intimate partner violence (IPV) rates. This trend is evident across urban and rural India, especially pronounced in low-income families. Additionally, online hate speech increased by 22% as temperatures climbed from 42ºC to 45ºC.

Moreover, the intersectional nature of climate change and inequality highlights the heightened risks faced by marginalised groups, including indigenous and Afro-descendant women, LGBTIQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and those in rural or disaster-prone regions. By centering these diverse experiences and addressing structural inequalities, we can foster more inclusive and effective climate solutions that promote justice and resilience for all communities.

How are women disproportionately affected?

The disproportionate impact of climate change and disasters on women is a result of deep-rooted inequalities perpetuated by gender-neutral laws and policies. To address this, a coordinated and integrated approach is necessary, focusing on combating violence against women, increasing their participation in decision-making processes, and improving access to decent work to ensure they benefit equally from sustainable development.

1. Combating Violence: Women and girls often face increased risks of violence during and after disasters. According to UN Women, globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence, with rates increasing during emergencies. For instance, in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, reports of gender-based violence surged.
2. Increased Role in Decision Making: Women's participation in decision-making processes is crucial for effective disaster response and resilience-building. Studies show that when women are involved in decision-making, outcomes are more inclusive and sustainable. For instance, in Kerala, India, women's self-help groups played a significant role in disaster recovery efforts after the 2018 floods.
3. Access to Decent Work: Women often have limited access to decent work opportunities, especially in sectors like agriculture and informal economies, which are heavily impacted by climate change. Improving access to education and skills training can empower women to engage in climate-resilient livelihoods. For example, initiatives like solar energy entrepreneurship programs in Africa empower women to enter the renewable energy sector.

The Feminist Climate Justice

The feminist climate justice approach focuses on four crucial areas:

1. Empowering Women: Policies must prioritise women's rights and knowledge, acknowledging their unpaid care work, economic disparities, and expertise, especially from marginalised groups like indigenous and rural women.
2. Equitable Resource Allocation: Addressing wage gaps, unequal access to resources, and transitioning towards eco-friendly policies are vital for gender equality and sustainable development.
3. Representation and Participation: Integrating women's voices and leadership in environmental policymaking is essential for stronger policies and effective climate action.
4. Addressing Historical Injustices: Wealthy countries need to fulfil their commitments to finance climate programs, prioritise vulnerable communities, and regulate polluting corporations to tackle climate debt and environmental harm.

The COP28 conference marks a crucial step in holding countries accountable for their climate actions and ensuring gender-inclusive responses to climate challenges. Leaders and policymakers must prioritise women's rights and needs in climate policies for transformative change towards climate justice.

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References:

UN Women | UN Women | We Forum | FAO org | Relief Web | CNN | World Health Organisation | COP28 UAE | IAS Parliament

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