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Studies from around the world show that when women are included in climate change solutions we all benefit.
No one benefits from inequality or climate change. And, as it turns out both climate change and gender equality are intricately linked. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. According to organizations such as United Nations Women, when climate crises strike women have less access to natural resources and services such as health care. They become more vulnerable to gender-based violence. And, the economic and educational inequalities that are already long-standing, only become worse. The good news is that when women are included in critical decision-making processes on both local and national levels effective climate change policies are implemented. Carbon emissions are reduced as is food insecurity. So how do we include more women’s conversations and policies about climate change?
A 2019 study found that increasing women’s representation in national parliaments leads to the adoption of more stringent climate change policies, resulting in lower emissions. ~ United Nations Women
Climate Change Isn’t Gender Neutral
“If you are invisible in everyday life, your needs will not be thought of, let alone addressed, in a crisis situation. Humanitarian programs tend to be heteronormative and can reinforce the patriarchal structure of society if they do not take into account sexual and gender diversity.”
~ Matcha Phorn-In, a lesbian human-rights defender from Chiang Mai Thailand
Unfortunately, because of pre-existing inequalities, climate change only escalates the social, political, health, and economic disparities between women and men. Studies show that women are more likely to die from climate-linked disasters and have less access to health resources and services. And, with 70% of the world’s poor being women, severe weather changes put them at greater risk of having a lack of access to clean water and sanitation systems while taking on an increase in domestic and care work.
What Happens When Women Are Empowered?
Designing effective climate change solutions should involve those who are most impacted by climate change. This ensures equal benefits and that the solutions help to safeguard marginalized communities. As an added benefit, when women become a part of climate change policies, they aren’t the only ones who benefit from their inclusion. Studies have shown that across the board, the inclusion of women in climate policies can lead to better management of natural resources, reduce CO2 emissions, and safeguard communities against the negative impacts of climate change.
- 55 per cent of the improvement in food security in developing countries has been driven by programs promoting women’s empowerment.
- Lower emissions and more stringent climate change policies happen when women are represented in national parliaments.
- Transparency about carbon emissions increases when more women are on corporate boards.
How Can Societies Empower Women?
In the Ecuadorian Andes, indigenous women are restoring their damaged ecosystems and landscapes ravaged by overgrazing and desertification. Using sustainable agriculture techniques they are finding solutions to heal their land and prevent climate change impacts. This is one example of how women-led efforts can not only empower women, but also the communities they are a part of to find solutions to climate change. This is only one example of how empowering women to design and manage climate change solutions can empower us all. And, there are a few ways that we can empower them in our everyday lives too:
- Support women-led organizations and cooperatives that work on climate change solutions.
- Vote for leaders to promote equity and use your voice to hold them accountable for maintaining their commitments to diversity and equity.
- Support gender-equal climate action policies.
