International Women's Day: Empowering Women to Confront Climate Change

March 8, 2010 is the 99th International Women’s Day a time to reflect on the dynamics between women and the environment.  In this post we take a look at the disproportionate impact of climate change and resulting water shortages (and floods) on women around the world and at the same time celebrate women as powerful agents of change.

Check out these facts gathered by UNIFEM

• Women provide up to 80% of agricultural labor and 45-90% of a household’s food.
• Gathering and transporting water typically falls on women and children in developing countries — a task that can take many hours each day in drought prone areas.
• Collecting water is already becoming increasingly burdensome with global warming. More regions will experience water shortages as rainfall becomes erratic, glaciers melt and seas rise.
• There is a strong correlation between gender equality and women’s survival rate in disasters. Women are up to 14 times more likely than men to die from natural disasters. Poverty and poor access to health care exacerbate these risks.

A 2008 study commissioned by WEDO, shows the plight of women in Nepal as they face the impacts of climate change.

In Nepal, Dalit women are perhaps the most underprivileged people in the country; they face dual discrimination, being considered “untouchable” and being women, and they are particularly vulnerable to violence, including sexual abuse and rape. Since they are deprived of using public infrastructures, they usually have to walk farther to get water––very often of bad quality––and fuel wood.

Srijana is a Dalit widow, mother of a baby girl. She lives in a small mud house in Phoolparasi, Sarlahi District. She is used to coping with regular floods and has learned to elevate the plinths of her house in order to protect her belongings. She says this:

I am very poor and do not have anything except this house. Now the floods are coming more often and the level of the water is higher. Every year, my house is damaged by the water. I do not know what to do now since I am losing more and more of my house. I cannot get any support because I am untouchable and poor. I cannot even get refuge in my neighbors’ house.

(Excerpts from Case Study: Gender and Climate Change in the Hindu Kush Himalayas of Nepal available at http://www.wedo.org/wp-content/uploads/nepalcasestudy.pdf)

We have more to do in advocating for women’s rights and full integration in climate change solutions.  Women have a great deal to offer as communities develop solutions to impacts on food and water resources.   Yet to gain women's insight and participation special care must be given to ensure women are engaged at every level of decision making related to climate change and sustainable development.

Several champions are working to do just that.  Check out the inspiring leaders that IUCN honored today.  These seven individuals work tirelessly to empower women around the world to confront climate change.   Something to celebrate!

This blog was co-authored by Lovelyn Nwarueze.