Gender Equality in Warming Planet: How climate change hits women the hardest

When the planet heats up, women pay the highest price. 80% of the people displaced by climate change globally are women who are also 14 times more likely to die during extreme weather events as compared to men, according to the United Nations estimates. By mid century, food insecurity, largely attributable to climate change, will be 2.5 times higher among women and girls as compared to their male counterparts. 

Climate impacts widen gender inequality

Climate change aggravates gender inequality. Our patriarchal power structure limits women's abilities to adapt to climate change by restricting their access to financial resources, credit, social networks, and vital climate information. Women, particularly in low-income and rural communities in developing nations, struggle to secure food, water, and economic stability in the face of climate extremes.

Climate change, violence, and displacement

Climate-induced hardships are forcing millions of women into precarious situations, often resulting in increased violence and disrupted lives. In Bangladesh alone, climate change is estimated to prevent 12 million girls from completing their education, leading to early marriages. Studies in the Indian Sundarbans delta link climate vulnerability with the risks of human trafficking. Recurring cyclones, sea level rise and coastal flooding in the islands have significantly curtailed livelihood opportunities pushing women into risky migration pathways and exploitative work situations. 

Moreover, research indicates that a 1-degree Celsius increase in annual mean temperature correlates with a 4.5% rise in intimate partner violence in South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, and Pakistan. A study in Karachi found that intense heat and water scarcity in summer months have become a source of domestic conflict with women bearing its brunt. 

Women and Disaster: A deadly disparity

When disasters strike, women suffer the most.In India every year between 2000 and 2009, 65 million people on average in India were affected by disasters; of these, 3.25 million were pregnant and lactating mothers. In the 2004 Asian tsunami, 70% of fatalities were women. The lack of early warning systems tailored to women’s needs, cultural restrictions on mobility, and caregiving responsibilities often prevent women from escaping disaster zones in time. In Srilanka, essential life skills like swimming or climbing trees often imparted to boys in their formative years ensured their better chances of survival during Tsunami as compared to girls. 

The toll on women’s health and well-being

Low adaptive capacity in women is often accompanied by heightened exposure to environmental hazards. Household air pollution, largely caused by indoor cooking with solid fuels, was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths worldwide in 2020, with women facing the highest risks due to their traditional roles in food preparation. Climate change exacerbates reproductive health issues in women with rising temperatures being associated with higher risks of preterm births and stillbirths. 

Women at the forefront of climate action 

Despite these challenges, women are leading the fight for climate justice. From grassroots movements to international negotiations, they are pushing for solutions that address both climate change and gender inequality. Women have long been custodians of ecological knowledge, playing a vital role in sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Their deep connection to the land allows them to develop effective adaptive strategies to environmental changes. They make up nearly half of the agricultural workforce in developing countries, and enhancing their access to critical resources can increase agricultural yields by 20-30%. For climate policies to be effective, they must incorporate gender perspectives. Ensuring women’s participation in decision-making, providing them with access to resources, and addressing gender-based vulnerabilities will not only empower them but also strengthen global climate resilience.