Why Are Women More Impacted by Climate Change?

Context

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die in a disaster caused due to Climate change. 

Climate Change Impacts On Women: Indian Perspective

• Food Insecurity: Agriculture serves as a vital livelihood for women in rural India. Climate-induced crop yield reductions exacerbate food insecurity, particularly among impoverished households already grappling with nutritional deficiencies.
• Disproportionate Effects: The climate crisis affects individuals unequally, with women and girls facing heightened health risks due to poverty, existing roles, responsibilities, and cultural norms. 
  • NFHS 4 and 5 data showed that over half of women and children living in drought prone  districts were more underweight and Experience intimate partner violence.
• Extreme Weather Events: A 2021 report from the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) revealed that 75% of Indian districts are susceptible to hydromet disasters, posing risks to over half of women and children residing in these areas. 
• Health Risks: Prolonged heat poses grave risks, especially for pregnant women, increasing the likelihood of preterm birth and eclampsia. 
  • Additionally, it impacts mental health and emotional well-being.
• Pollution Exposure: Exposure to air pollutants, both indoor and outdoor, detrimentally affects women’s health, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Unborn children are also vulnerable, with pollutant exposure impairing their physical and cognitive development.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Conclusion

It is necessary to move beyond stereotypes, identify the vulnerabilities of all genders, and employ gender-transformative techniques to ensure a complete and equitable approach to climate adaptation. Instead of being branded as victims, women may take the initiative in climate action.

DOWNLOAD PDF