The Silent Crisis: How Climate Change Disproportionately Affects Women Worldwide
In the complex and ever-evolving arena of climate change, recent developments paint a stark picture. A sobering global stocktake report predicts a deteriorating situation, one that can only be averted through immediate emissions reductions. Climate change, we now realize, transcends near environmental discourse; it is intertwined with every facet of existence, compelling us to scrutinize lifestyle choices with an eye towards sustainability. Amidst the policy debates surrounding climate change, a vital perspective often remains obscured. It is through the gendered lens which we must view this challenge.
While climate change affects us all, its impact is disproportionately, felt by women and gender minorities across the globe. From climate-related disasters to rising temperatures, and ensuing displacement, vulnerable communities bear the brunt of these challenges, and among them, women are often the hardest hit.
During emergencies, managing menstruation becomes an arduous task due to a lack of menstrual hygiene supplies. For instance, female survivors of climate-related disasters face a higher likelihood of experiencing decreased life expectancy, mental health issues, gender-based violence, and childbirth complications. This is especially pronounced among impoverished women in climate-sensitive areas, where agriculture is their lifeline, and disrupted menstrual cycles intensify their emotional stress. Recognising the intersection of climate change and socioeconomic class is pivotal for crafting effective policies.
In makeshift shelter camps during climate-related displacements, basic amenities such as clean water and proper nutrition are often scarce. The dire shortage of clean toilets poses a significant health risk, particularly to women and children, who may contract infections like UTIs and vaginal infections that can persist for months. During Cyclone Amphan that hit eastern India in 2020, a woman reported contracting a vaginal infection lasting 6-7 months that couldn’t be treated at the block hospital until she consulted doctors in Kolkata- where she would arrive after a six-hour journey crossing multiple rivers. Inadequate menstrual products in emergency settings force women to resort to unhygienic practices, further compounding their challenges.
Climate-induced stress can disrupt menstrual cycles, sometimes leading to missed periods for months. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research, and Public Health, even suggests that climate change could impact the timing of menarche, a girl’s first menstruation.
Food security is another critical concern, exacerbated by climate change, leaving those in climate-sensitive regions, struggling to secure sustenance. When resources become scarce, gender disparities often emerge during resource distribution, with women disproportionately sacrificing meals or consuming less due to prevailing gender biases. Existing gender inequalities in agriculture or further accentuated by natural disasters, limiting women’s earnings potential and their ability to diversify income sources.
As per the 2011 census, approximately 65% of India’s agricultural workforce comprises women, yet they own just 13.87% of the land. The challenges posed by climate change exacerbate these pre-existing disparities.
Recent reports from the World Meteorological Organisation of the United Nations, warn of the likelihood that the next five years (2023 to 2027) will be the warmest on record. This warming trend, combined with human-induced climate change will have far-reaching consequences, affecting health, food, security, water management and the environment. Rural women, often juggling demanding roles as laborers and homemakers, are particularly affected. In Maharashtra, for instance, women may spend up to 12 hours searching for potable water, compromising their ability to manage household chores efficiently. Climate-induced displacement and migration can add 12-14 additional working hours to their already strenuous lives, impacting girls’ education, increasing incidents of sexual abuse, and fostering early marriages. Climate change indeed acts as a “threat multiplier”.
Studies have shown that men tend to fare better than women in the face of climate shocks. Men often migrate in search of non-farm work, leaving their families behind, which can burden women further. Some men even start new families at their destination, leaving vulnerable women economically and socially exposed. Crop loss or delayed remittances force women into low-paying jobs, reduce their food intake, and lead them to borrow from moneylenders. These socio-economic challenges result in increased stress and inadequate nutrition, contributing to anemia among women. Malnutrition during pregnancy and menstruation exacerbates these health challenges, particularly among socio-culturally, disadvantaged women.
Global warming is also affecting coastal regions, leading to shifts in sea levels. Women living in these areas face a higher risk of complicated pregnancies and miscarriages, partly due to elevated salt levels in the water they consume. Rising sea levels introduce saline water into freshwater sources, contaminating water and soil. Reliance on this water source for daily use, including cooking, poses health risks, including hypertension and obstetric problems, such as preeclampsia and miscarriage.
Recurrent heat waves further complicate matters, causing irregularities in women’s menstrual cycles, leading to stress, fatigue, anxiety and health issues, such as vaginal infections and UTIs. Dietary changes resulting from temperature fluctuations can also disrupt menstrual patterns and increase the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women.
To drive forward, inclusive and equitable climate solutions, it’s crucial to prioritize those who bear the greatest impacts. Women’s distinct insights, stemming from their close alignment with nature, must guide decision-making processes. Research confirms a strong link between women’s presence in legislative bodies and effectiveness of environmental safeguards. A 2019 study demonstrated that higher female representation in the national parliaments directly correlates with the adoption of more stringent climate policies and consequently, reduced emissions. Moreover, women’s active involvement in local natural resource management yields superior conservation outcomes.
To craft effective and equitable climate action plans, we must seek gender- transformative solutions that tackle the root causes of gender-based inequalities and vulnerabilities. Investing in gender equality and empowering all women and girls, as articulated in SDG5 remains pivotal in our fight against climate change.
References:
United Nations. (n.d.). Women in the Shadow of Climate Change | United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/womenin-shadow-climate-change#:~:text=Climate%20change%20will%20be%20an,intimidation%2C%20human%20trafficking%20and%20rape
Abandonment, poverty, sexual exploitation: why Indian women pay a higher price for climate crisis. (n.d.): https://www.downtoearth.org.in/interviews/climate-change/abandonment-poverty-sexual-exploitation-why-indian-women-pay-a-higher-price-for-climate-crisis-80160
Welle, D. (2023, June 8). How is climate change impacting menstrual health in India? Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/climate-crisis-how-is-climate-change-impacting-menstrual-health-in-india-cyclone-amphan-impact-on-women/article66911662.ece
World Meteorological Organization. (2021, December 13). Global temperatures set to reach new records in next five years [Press release]. WMO. Retrieved from https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/global-temperatures-set-reach-new-records-next-five-years
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Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Salt and Sodium. The Nutrition Source. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/#:~:text=But%20too%20much%20sodium%20in,more%20than%20our%20bodies%20need
CTV News. (2022, February 23). New study suggests miscarriages are more likely in the hotter summer months. Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/new-study-suggests-miscarriages-are-more-likely-in-the-hotter-summer-months-1.5968987
The Third Pole. (n.d.). Saltwater Risks Women's Health in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/livelihoods/saltwater-risks-womens-health-bangladesh/
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About the author:
Siya Singh is a passionate advocate for sustainability and social impact, having completed an Honors degree in English Literature from University of Delhi. Recently, she served as a climate ambassador for the HEY campaign, contributing to raising awareness and advocating for environmental initiatives. Throughout her college years, she actively engaged in various sustainability projects and explored innovative ideas in social entrepreneurship. Her dedication also extends to advocating for women’s rights, as demonstrated by her contribution to drafting policies on menstrual rights for Mumbai. As an independent researcher and writer, she strives to leverage her skills to drive positive change and inspire others to join her in building a more equitable and sustainable society.
