MEV 025: Unit 11 – Climate change and gender

-

 UNIT 11: CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENDER

11.1 Introduction

Climate change does not affect everyone equally. Gender plays a crucial role in shaping individual and community vulnerability to climate-related impacts. Women and men experience the consequences of climate change differently due to socio-cultural roles, economic status, and access to resources. Recognizing these gendered dimensions is critical for formulating equitable climate policies and actions. This unit explores the intersection between climate change and gender, highlighting inequalities, the roles of women in climate resilience, and the strategies required to ensure gender-sensitive climate responses.

11.2 Objectives

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand the social dimensions of gender and their relevance in environmental contexts.
  • Identify the gender inequalities arising from climate change across various sectors.
  • Explain how gender is incorporated into climate dialogue, adaptation, and mitigation strategies.
  • Assess the particular vulnerability of women and children to climate threats.
  • Explore the active roles of women in addressing climate change.
  • Learn about strategies and policies aimed at integrating gender concerns in climate governance.

11.3 Social Dimensions of Gender

  • Gender refers not only to biological differences but also to the social roles, responsibilities, and expectations assigned to individuals based on their sex.
  • These roles influence access to education, land, employment, decision-making power, and mobility.
  • In many societies, women’s roles in caregiving, food production, and water collection increase their exposure to environmental stress.
  • Climate change exacerbates existing gender disparities, affecting livelihoods, health, and safety.

11.4 Climate Change and Gender Inequality

Climate change magnifies existing social inequalities, and gender inequality is a central concern. Limited access to financial resources, technology, information, and political participation hinders women’s capacity to adapt.

11.4.1 Climate Change-Related Gender Inequality in Different Sectors

  • Agriculture: Women are primary food producers but often lack land rights and access to extension services or climate-resilient technology.
  • Water and Sanitation: Women spend significant time collecting water; water scarcity due to climate change increases their burden.
  • Health: Women, especially pregnant women, are more vulnerable to heatwaves, malnutrition, and vector-borne diseases.
  • Disaster Response: Women face greater risks during disasters, including displacement, sexual violence, and limited access to relief services.
  • Energy: In rural areas, women rely on biomass for cooking; deforestation and fuel scarcity increase health risks and time poverty.

11.5 Gender and Climate Change Dialogue

  • Early climate discussions often overlooked gender, but this has changed with global recognition of the gender-climate nexus.
  • International frameworks such as the UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, and COP gender action plans promote gender-responsive climate policies.
  • Civil society and women’s organizations play a vital role in mainstreaming gender in climate dialogues.
  • Inclusion of women in climate negotiations enhances policy effectiveness and equity.

11.6 Gender Dimension in Adaptation and Mitigation

  • Adaptation: Women use traditional knowledge to develop coping strategies such as crop diversification, community-based water management, and disaster preparedness.
  • Mitigation: Women's participation in clean energy initiatives, afforestation, and waste management contributes to emission reductions.
  • Gender-sensitive adaptation and mitigation programs acknowledge and support women's contributions.

11.7 Vulnerability of Children to Climate Change Threats

  • Children, especially girls, face multiple vulnerabilities:
    • Increased risk of malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and heat-related illnesses.
    • Disruptions in education due to disasters or economic hardship.
    • Higher susceptibility to psychological stress and trauma.
  • Gender norms may lead to early marriage or withdrawal from school for girls during climate crises.

11.8 Why Women Carry More Burdens of Climate Change Threats than Men?

  • Socioeconomic factors limit women's ability to prepare for and respond to climate risks:
    • Lower income and land ownership reduce adaptive capacity.
    • Limited voice in community planning and resource management.
    • Time burden from unpaid care work restricts participation in training or livelihood diversification.
  • Discriminatory norms and lack of legal protection make recovery from climate impacts more difficult for women.

11.9 Role of Women in Climate Change

Women are not only victims but also agents of change in climate action:

  • They lead community resilience initiatives and local climate adaptation.
  • In agriculture, women promote sustainable farming practices.
  • As educators and caregivers, they shape environmental values in families and communities.
  • Women-led organizations campaign for climate justice, renewable energy, and policy reforms.

11.10 Strategies to Address Gender Issues in Climate Change

  • Gender Mainstreaming: Integrating gender concerns at all levels of climate planning and implementation.
  • Capacity Building: Training women in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, disaster preparedness, and leadership.
  • Policy Reforms: Ensuring laws guarantee equal access to land, credit, education, and decision-making platforms.
  • Data Collection: Collecting sex-disaggregated data to monitor gender impacts and outcomes.
  • Community Engagement: Supporting women’s participation in climate negotiations and local governance.

11.11 Let Us Sum Up

  • Gender shapes how individuals experience and respond to climate change.
  • Climate change intensifies existing gender inequalities, particularly in agriculture, health, disaster response, and energy access.
  • Women and children are among the most vulnerable, yet women also offer critical leadership and solutions.
  • Gender-sensitive climate strategies are essential for effective adaptation, mitigation, and resilience building.
  • Empowering women and integrating gender equality into climate policy is crucial for a just and sustainable future.

11.12 Keywords

  1. Gender – Socially constructed roles and responsibilities assigned to individuals based on sex.
  2. Climate Change Inequality – Disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized groups, especially women and children.
  3. Adaptation – Adjustments in systems and practices to reduce climate-related harm.
  4. Mitigation – Actions to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.
  5. Gender Mainstreaming – Integrating gender perspectives into all aspects of policy and program development.
  6. Time Poverty – Lack of time for productive activities due to household and caregiving responsibilities.
  7. UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
  8. Paris Agreement – A global treaty to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.
  9. Resilience – The ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from climate-related shocks.
  10. Climate Justice – A framework addressing the ethical and equity aspects of climate change.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more