Introduction
Climate change is a global crisis that affects individuals of all genders but women and girls are often disproportionately affected. In developing countries, the gender-based division of labor and responsibilities frequently leaves women and girls bearing a disproportionate share of the impacts of climate change. These can include increased workloads, health impacts, and the loss of income and livelihoods. Despite this, women have the ability to be change agents and lead efforts to adapt to and reduce the effects of climate change. In order to support and empower women in this role, it is essential to develop gender-responsive climate change policies. This article will explore the impact of climate change on women and girls in developing countries, the women’s role in leading climate change efforts, and the importance of gender-responsive climate change policies.
The impact of climate change on women and girls in developing countries
The gendered division of labor and responsibilities in developing countries means that women and girls often have specific tasks and roles that are assigned to them based on their gender. In many cases, these tasks and roles are related to domestic and reproductive work, such as caring for family members and managing the household. In addition, women and girls may be responsible for collecting water and firewood, and for participating in agricultural activities. These tasks can become more difficult and time-consuming in the face of climate change, which can lead to women’s increased workload and stress.
The impact of natural disasters on women and girls can be particularly severe. In the aftermath of a disaster, women and girls may be more vulnerable to violence and exploitation, and they may face challenges in accessing essential services such as healthcare and education. In addition, women and girls may be more likely to be displaced by disasters and forced to migrate to urban areas, where they may face additional challenges in finding employment and housing.
The impact of climate change on women’s health and well-being is a significant concern. Climate change can lead to increased rates of respiratory illness and malnutrition, both of which can disproportionately affect women and girls. In addition, climate change can affect the availability and quality of food and water, which can have a negative impact on reproductive health and maternal mortality. Overall, the health impacts of climate change on women and girls in developing countries can be significant and far-reaching.
The role of women in mitigation and adaptation efforts
The potential of women as agents of change in their communities is significant. Women often have a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change, and they can play a key role in developing and implementing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. In many cases, women are at the forefront of efforts to adapt to climate change and protect their communities from its impacts. For example, women may be involved in initiatives to conserve natural resources, develop sustainable agriculture practices, and improve disaster preparedness.
There are many examples of successful women-led climate change initiatives in developing countries. For instance, in India, women in rural communities have formed collectives to conserve water and promote sustainable agriculture practices. In Kenya, women have led efforts to plant trees and restore degraded land, improving the resilience of their communities to the impacts of climate change. In the Philippines, women have played a key role in disaster risk reduction and emergency response efforts, improving the ability of their communities to cope with natural disasters.
Despite the potential and successes of women in leading climate change efforts, there are also challenges and barriers that they face. These can include a lack of access to education and training, limited access to financial resources and technology, and social and cultural norms that limit women’s roles and opportunities. In addition, women may face discrimination and gender-based violence, which can make it difficult for them to fully participate in climate change efforts. Overall, supporting and empowering women in their roles as leaders in climate change adaptation and mitigation is essential to achieving gender equality and climate justice.
Gender-responsive climate change policies in developing countries
The inclusion of a gender perspective in climate change policies is very important and cannot be overstated. Climate change affects people of all genders, its impact is often felt differently by men and women. For example, women and girls may face unique challenges and opportunities in adapting to climate change and mitigating its impacts. Therefore, it is essential that climate change policies take these differences into account and address the specific needs and concerns of women and girls. This is known as a gender perspective, and it can help to ensure that climate change policies are effective, equitable, and inclusive.
There are many examples of gender-responsive climate change policies in developing countries.
For example, Nepal has made a national policy on gender and climate change, which aims to get more women involved in making decisions about climate change. Similarly, in Malawi, a gender-responsive adaptation policy has been implemented, which focuses on improving the resilience of women and girls to the impacts of climate change. Moreover, in Ghana, a national gender policy on climate change has been developed, which aims to promote the involvement of women in climate change initiatives and support their leadership in these efforts.
The potential benefits of gender-responsive climate change policies are numerous. These policies can help to promote gender equality and empower women as agents of change in their communities. They can also improve the effectiveness of climate change efforts by addressing the specific needs and concerns of women and girls. In addition, gender-responsive climate change policies can help to build more resilient communities and reduce the negative impacts of climate change on women and girls. Overall, the inclusion of a gender perspective in climate change policies can help to create a more just and sustainable future for all.
Pakistan and Gender-responsive climate change policies
One example of gender-responsive climate change policies in a developing country is Pakistan. Due to the gendered division of labor and responsibilities in Pakistan, women and girls are often disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. In response to this, the Government of Pakistan has developed a national policy on gender and climate change, which aims to promote the participation of women in decision-making processes related to climate change. The policy also focuses on improving the resilience of women and girls to the impacts of climate change, and on promoting the involvement of women in climate change initiatives and supporting their leadership in these efforts.
An example of a successful women-led climate change initiative in Pakistan is the “Green Women, Green Pakistan” program. The Government of Pakistan funds this program to train women in rural communities on sustainable agriculture practices, such as water conservation and the use of organic fertilizers. The program has helped to improve the resilience of these communities to the impacts of climate change and has also provided women with new skills and opportunities.
Overall, the national policy on gender and climate change in Pakistan and the “Green Women, Green Pakistan” program are examples of how gender-responsive climate change policies can promote gender equality and empower women as agents of change. These initiatives demonstrate the potential of women to lead climate change efforts and the importance of empowering them in this role.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the effects of climate change are experienced more acutely by women and girls in developing countries. Despite this, women have the potential to be agents of change and lead efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. However, in order to support and empower women in this role, it is essential to develop gender-responsive climate change policies. These policies can help to promote gender equality and empower women as leaders in climate change efforts. In addition, they can improve the effectiveness of climate change initiatives by addressing the specific needs of women and girls. Overall, increased support for women’s leadership in climate change efforts, along with the implementation of gender-responsive climate change policies, has the potential to promote gender equality and climate justice in developing countries.
References
Hasan, Z., & Haider, S. (2013). Gender and climate change in Pakistan. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 3(3), 260-265.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2012). Managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
International Labour Organization. (2015). Gender and climate change: Impacts on women and men. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Organization.
Jafri, A. (2017). Gender and climate change: A review of Pakistan’s progress. Journal of Women’s Empowerment, 1(1), 1-19.
United Nations Development Programme. (2016). Gender and climate change: A global perspective. New York, NY: United Nations Development Programme.
World Bank. (2014). Gender and climate change: An overview. Washington, DC: World Bank.
The authors is a graduate in International Relations from University of Peshawar.
