Written by Amruthavarshini
Research Intern,
Jindal Centre for the Global South,
O.P. Jindal Global University, India
ABSTRACT
This article explores the critical role of gender in addressing the challenges of climate change and development in the Global South. The impact of climate change is not gender-neutral, as it affects men and women differently due to their differing roles, responsibilities, and access to resources. In many parts of the Global South, women play a significant role in agriculture, water management, and forestry, and their livelihoods are directly impacted by climate change. However, they often lack access to resources, such as land, credit, and technology, which limits their ability to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. Furthermore, women’s voices and their perspectives are often marginalized in decision-making processes related to climate change and development. This article argues that incorporating a gender perspective into policies and programs related to climate change and development is crucial for promoting sustainable and equitable development in the Global South. By recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in the context of climate change, policymakers and practitioners can develop more effective and inclusive strategies for addressing these complex issues.
INTRODUCTION
Climate change is a global crisis affecting communities worldwide, with developing countries in the Global South being the most vulnerable (United Nations, 2021). Women and girls in these communities are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, including increased food insecurity, reduced access to water and sanitation, and heightened risks of natural disasters (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.). At the same time, women in these communities are often key actors in addressing climate change and driving sustainable development.
The role of gender in addressing climate change and development challenges in the Global South is multifaceted. On one hand, gender inequality and discrimination can limit women’s ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Women in many developing countries are often responsible for household water and energy management, and environmental degradation, droughts, and floods can negatively impact their ability to secure these resources. The impact may also extend to women’s education and economic opportunities, which can limit their ability to adapt to changing conditions and contribute to climate solutions.
On the other hand, women in the Global South are also emerging as leaders in climate action and sustainable development. Women are often active in community-based organizations and grassroots movements that are working to address climate change and promote sustainable development (United Nations, 2021). They are also involved in innovative solutions such as climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy. Women’s experiences and knowledge of environmental management and resource conservation are often overlooked, but they are key to designing effective climate policies and programs.
Women play a crucial role in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they make up half of the world’s population and are often disproportionately affected by poverty, inequality, and discrimination. Addressing gender inequality is essential to effectively addressing climate change and development challenges in the Global South. Empowering women through education, economic opportunities, and leadership positions can enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity and improve the effectiveness of climate policies and programs. Women’s involvement in decision-making and climate action participation can bring diverse perspectives and innovative solutions.
Following are some ways in which women can contribute to achieving the SDGs:
Gender Equality: Women’s empowerment and gender equality are essential to the SDGs. Women’s full and equal participation in all areas of life, including education, employment, politics, and decision-making, is crucial to achieving the SDGs.
First, Economic development is one area where the upliftment of women can have a significant impact. Studies have shown that investing in women’s education and economic opportunities can lead to increased productivity, improved economic growth, and poverty reduction (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.). Women’s participation in the workforce can also positively impact the overall economy, as it can lead to increased consumer spending, more diverse perspectives in decision-making, and more equitable distribution of resources.
Second, women in the Global South often play a critical role in the economy, particularly in the informal sector, where they are engaged in various activities such as subsistence farming, small business, and home-based work (United Nations, 2021). However, women’s work is often undervalued and underpaid, and they face significant barriers to accessing credit, training, and market opportunities. Promoting women’s economic empowerment can unlock their potential to contribute to economic growth and reduce poverty.
Quality Education: Education is a key enabler for women’s empowerment and critical to achieving the SDGs. Educated women are better equipped to participate in the labour force, make informed decisions, and contribute to their families’ well-being (United Nations, 2021).
Education is a crucial factor in promoting gender equality and empowering women. Educated women are better equipped to participate in the workforce, make informed decisions, and contribute to the well-being of their families. Education can enable women to engage in decision-making and advocate for their rights. Furthermore, education can increase women’s political participation as they become more aware of their communities’ issues and are better equipped to participate in political processes.
Education is also vital to sustainable development, and investing in women’s education is especially important. Women’s education is associated with improved health outcomes, increased economic opportunities, and higher levels of political participation (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.). Educated women are also more likely to invest in their children’s education and well-being, which can positively impact future generations.
Good Health and Well-Being: Women’s health and well-being are essential to achieving the SDGs. Access to quality healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health services, is critical to ensuring women’s health and well-being. Improving women’s health is essential for achieving sustainable development goals in the Global South. Women in these regions often face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health services, maternal and child health services, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Addressing these challenges is critical for women’s health and the overall health and well-being of families and communities.
Decent Work and Economic Growth: Decent work and economic growth are crucial components of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and women’s participation in the labour force is an essential factor in attaining them. Empowering women to access decent work and participate in the economy is critical to reducing poverty and promoting economic growth.
“It is not far-fetched to imply that if women stopped performing this unpaid labour, our economy would crash. It is the unpaid Labor of women on which the economy is based” (Menon, 2012, p.21). Research has shown that women’s unpaid labour, which includes caregiving, household work, and community service, is undervalued and often invisible in economic models (Beegle, 2020). Yet, it is estimated that if unpaid care work were assigned a monetary value, it would account for around 9% of global GDP (International Labour Organization, 2018). Women’s unpaid work has been described as a “hidden engine” of the economy (McKie, 2015), and the lack of recognition and support for this work can have serious economic consequences.
Studies have shown that women’s employment and entrepreneurship can contribute significantly to economic growth, poverty reduction, and social development (Budlender, 2016). The International Labour Organization (ILO) has emphasized the importance of promoting decent work for women to reduce gender inequality, support sustainable development, and create a more inclusive economy (ILO, 2019).
Various barriers, including discriminatory social norms, unequal pay, and a lack of access to education and training opportunities still hinder women’s participation in the labour force. Addressing these challenges ensures women’s economic empowerment and promotes sustainable economic growth.
Participation in Decision-Making: Ensuring women’s involvement in decision-making processes is vital for constructing sustainable cities and communities. The views of women are crucial for guaranteeing that development initiatives cater to the needs of all members of society (United Nations, 2021).
Political engagement is necessary for attaining objectives related to sustainable development. Women’s active participation in decision-making processes is paramount for generating policies and programs that encourage gender equality and cater to the requirements of women and girls. Policies that are all-encompassing and sensitive to the requirements of varied communities can be created by incorporating women’s perspectives and experiences. To create policies and programs that are attentive to the needs of varied communities, women’s perspectives and experiences are critical. Increasing women’s political engagement can foster more comprehensive and representative governance structures and tackle the underlying causes of inequality and poverty.
In summary, the role of women in attaining the SDGs cannot be overemphasized. Empowering women and promoting gender equality is key to achieving the SDGs and creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for all.
CONCLUSION
The role of gender in addressing climate change and development challenges in the Global South is critical. Gender inequality can limit women’s ability to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change while empowering women can enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity and improve the effectiveness of climate policies and programs. Women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change due to their differing roles, responsibilities, and access to resources. They are often key actors in addressing climate change and driving sustainable development, but gender inequality and discrimination limit their ability to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. By incorporating a gender perspective into policies and programs related to climate change and development, policymakers and practitioners can develop more effective and inclusive strategies for addressing these complex issues. Empowering women through education, economic opportunities, and leadership positions can enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity and improve the effectiveness of climate policies and programs. Women’s involvement in decision-making and climate action participation can bring diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. Women’s upliftment can significantly impact economic development, where investing in women’s education and economic opportunities can lead to increased productivity, improved economic growth, and poverty reduction. Therefore, addressing gender inequality is essential to effectively addressing climate change and development challenges in the Global South and promoting sustainable and equitable development.
References
Beegle, K. (2020). The global gender data gap: What it is, why it matters, and how to fix it. World Bank.
Budlender, D. (2016). The impact of women’s employment on economic growth. International Journal of Labour Research, 8(2), 147-163.
International Labor Organization. (2018). Care work and care jobs for the future of decent work. International Labour Organization.
International Labor Organization. (2019). Women and Men in the Informal Economy: A Statistical Picture (3rd ed.). Geneva: ILO.
McKie, L. (2015). Women’s work: The hidden engine of the economy. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jan/23/women-inequality-income-pay-actionaid-study-economy
Menon, N. (2012). Seeing Like a Feminist. Zubaan & Penguin India.
Mehta, S., Kaur, N., & Panda, S. M. (2018). Climate change, gender, and vulnerability: a multi-country assessment of women’s experiences. Gender & Development, 26(1), 19-34. doi: 10.1080/13552074.2018.1453321
OECD. (2008). Growing unequal? Income distribution and poverty in OECD countries. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/social/40881538.pdf
Overseas Development Institute. (n.d.). Climate change and social inequality: The role of women’s leadership. Retrieved from https://www.odi.org/publications/10059-climate-change-and-social-inequality-role-women-s-leadership
Roy, J., & Roy, I. (2018). Gender and climate change: A review of the linkages. Gender & Development, 26(1), 13-18. doi: 10.1080/13552074.2018.145333
UN Women. (2018). Turning promises into action: Gender equality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. New York: United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2018/2/gender-equality-in-the-2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development-2018
United Nations. (2021, March 8). Women in the shadow of climate change. UN Chronicle. https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/women-shadow-climate-change
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Focus areas. Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 5: Gender equality. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/focussdgs.html#goal5
United Nations Development Programme. (2018). Gender and development. United Nations Development Programme. United Nations Environment Programme. (n.d.). Gender and climate change: Women as agents of change. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/resources/report/gender-and-climate-change-women-agents-change
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author (s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Jindal Centre for the Global South or its members.
Global South Studies Series 