Over the past few weeks, I’ve been researching
gender integration in resilience strategies. Efforts to build resilience within
the international development community have often focused on strengthening
capacities to adapt to shocks and stresses caused by climate change and
disasters. Some organizations take an even broader approach to resilience, and
include initiatives to strengthen responses to economic, political, and social
shocks (that may or may not be linked to climate change or disasters).
I’ve already posted on the gender dimensions of disasters, but inextricably linked, are the gender dimensions of climate change. In helping Sahar “make the case” for gender integration in resilience, I’ve been looking at gender-sensitive approaches to climate adaptation, and have come across some really fascinating resources. Many of us think that climate change impacts us all in a similar manner and that we are affected - and adapt - in similar ways. However, when we start to dig a bit deeper, numerous differences become apparent.
As highlighted by this Climate Change Brief from CARE International, all members of a community – or even the same household – are not equally affected by a climate hazard (such as a flood or drought). That’s because some individuals have greater capacity than others to manage the crisis. “The inequitable distribution of rights, resources and power – as well as repressive cultural rules and norms – constrains many people’s ability to take action on climate change. This is especially true for women and girls.” So, if we want to understand vulnerability to climate change, gender is a crucial piece of the puzzle.[1]
Although it is certainly true that both men and women are vulnerable to climate change, as this Heinrich Böll Foundation report points out, “women [are] frequently exposed to additional gender-specific vulnerabilities and barriers that consistently render them more vulnerable than men to the impacts of climate change…and prevent them from utilizing their specific skills and knowledge (such as in resource management and conservation) that can improve mitigation and adaptation outcomes.”[2]
Women and men experience, perceive and identify risks differently. “Everyone can be equally exposed to a hazard, but women and men have different levels of vulnerability and access to resources, and have therefore developed different coping skills.”[3] Furthermore, the impacts of climate change typically magnify existing inequalities between men and women, and often affect the gender-specific roles and responsibilities of women as food producers and providers, care-givers, and economic actors. For example, changes such as drought, saline intrusion into water sources, and erratic rainfall all create additional challenges for securing resources such as food, water, and fuel – something women and girls are typically responsible for in their households and communities. “As part of their traditional care burden, up to 86 percent of rural women in low income countries have to fetch freshwater for their families. Stress on freshwater resources from climate change results in women having to travel longer distances for longer periods of time to fetch water, increasing their exposure to gender-based violence, and limiting their ability to engage in educational or income-earning activities or participate in community meetings or decision-making.”[4]
As Oxfam outlines in Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation: A Learning Companion:
I’ve already posted on the gender dimensions of disasters, but inextricably linked, are the gender dimensions of climate change. In helping Sahar “make the case” for gender integration in resilience, I’ve been looking at gender-sensitive approaches to climate adaptation, and have come across some really fascinating resources. Many of us think that climate change impacts us all in a similar manner and that we are affected - and adapt - in similar ways. However, when we start to dig a bit deeper, numerous differences become apparent.
As highlighted by this Climate Change Brief from CARE International, all members of a community – or even the same household – are not equally affected by a climate hazard (such as a flood or drought). That’s because some individuals have greater capacity than others to manage the crisis. “The inequitable distribution of rights, resources and power – as well as repressive cultural rules and norms – constrains many people’s ability to take action on climate change. This is especially true for women and girls.” So, if we want to understand vulnerability to climate change, gender is a crucial piece of the puzzle.[1]
Although it is certainly true that both men and women are vulnerable to climate change, as this Heinrich Böll Foundation report points out, “women [are] frequently exposed to additional gender-specific vulnerabilities and barriers that consistently render them more vulnerable than men to the impacts of climate change…and prevent them from utilizing their specific skills and knowledge (such as in resource management and conservation) that can improve mitigation and adaptation outcomes.”[2]
Women and men experience, perceive and identify risks differently. “Everyone can be equally exposed to a hazard, but women and men have different levels of vulnerability and access to resources, and have therefore developed different coping skills.”[3] Furthermore, the impacts of climate change typically magnify existing inequalities between men and women, and often affect the gender-specific roles and responsibilities of women as food producers and providers, care-givers, and economic actors. For example, changes such as drought, saline intrusion into water sources, and erratic rainfall all create additional challenges for securing resources such as food, water, and fuel – something women and girls are typically responsible for in their households and communities. “As part of their traditional care burden, up to 86 percent of rural women in low income countries have to fetch freshwater for their families. Stress on freshwater resources from climate change results in women having to travel longer distances for longer periods of time to fetch water, increasing their exposure to gender-based violence, and limiting their ability to engage in educational or income-earning activities or participate in community meetings or decision-making.”[4]
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Women from Caicaoan village, Uganda, collecting water from the traditional water hole. Photo source: Geoff Sayer/Oxfam (2008). Accessed from Oxfam
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As Oxfam outlines in Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation: A Learning Companion:
· Women are more likely than men to be killed or
injured as a direct result of climate-related disasters
· Women depend most directly on natural resources to
provide for their families. They are usually the main collectors of water and
fuel, and most women farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture.
· Female-headed households are often among the
poorest and the most vulnerable to disaster and climate change, as they may
have little choice other than to live in precarious locations such as
flood-prone lands, or on steep slopes.
· Women tend to have fewer assets to rely on than
men. In economic terms, they are less likely to own their own land, or have
access to credit, agricultural extension services, and transportation.
· Violence against women, both from intimate
partners and unknown men, is known to rise after climate-related disasters. The risk of this
may be increased by a lack of privacy and safety in camps or shelters; coercion
to provide sex for goods or services; and a backlash against women who have
taken on new leadership roles.[5]
It’s critical to note, however, that women are not just
victims of climate change and disasters. They can serve as powerful agents of
change in their communities and demonstrate extraordinary powers of resilience
during disasters. “Women have repeatedly led initiatives to adapt to the
impacts of climate change, and their knowledge and responsibilities related to
natural resource management have proven critical to community survival.”[6] They
have also been essential in mobilizing preparations and responses to climate-related disasters. It
is therefore imperative that organizations that are implementing climate
adaptation or risk reduction programs harness the skills, experiences, and
capacities of women.
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Woman cooks food on a raft in front of her flooded kitchen in Bogra, Bangladesh. Photo source: EPA/Abir Abdullah. Accessed from Oxfam.
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Adaptation
initiatives that do not take gender perspectives into account may
unintentionally perpetuate or worsen gender inequality. For example, diverting
fresh water to areas where there is a water shortage (through dikes, water
transfers or irrigation canals) may have the unintended consequence of
lengthening and intensifying women’s productive and reproductive working day by
placing water sources in distant zones. The design of adaptation plans and activities should
recognize and effectively integrate gender considerations for efficient and
sustainable outcomes. These examples underscore the need for proper
consideration of the interests and contributions of all members of the society,
especially women and other vulnerable groups, in the design, planning and
financing of adaptation actions.[7]
If you're interested in learning more about the differential-impact of climate change on women, and the need for a gender-integrated adaptation approach, I really recommend taking a look at "The Importance of Gender-Sensitive Adaptation and Mitigation In and Across Climate-Relevant Sectors" (pages 6-12 of this Heinrich Böll report.) It includes incredible data and examples on sector-specific gender impacts (including the agriculture, REDD+/forest, water, energy, and transportation sectors), and even highlights several climate adaptation programs that have successfully addressed gender vulnerabilities and needs. If I had more time, I would write a post on each, but there's really no need since it's HERE. Enjoy!
[1] CARE
International Climate Change Brief. (2010) “Adaptation, gender, and women’s
empowerment.”
http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/toolkit/CARE_Gender_Brief_Oct2010.pdf
[2] Liane
Schalatek and Katya Burns (June 20, 2013). “Operationalizing a Gender-Sensitive
Approach in the Green Climate Fund.” Heinrich Boll Foundation, pages 6-12. Full
report available at: http://www.boell.org/web/index-Schalatek_Burns_GCF_Gender-Sensitive-Approach.html
[3] UNISDR.
(2009). “Making Disaster Risk Reduction Gender Sensitive: Policy and Practice
Guidelines.” Available at: http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/publications/v.php?id=9922
[4] Liane
Schalatek and Katya Burns (June 20, 2013). “Operationalizing a Gender-Sensitive
Approach in the Green Climate Fund.” Heinrich Boll Foundation, pages 6-12. Full
report available at: http://www.boell.org/web/index-Schalatek_Burns_GCF_Gender-Sensitive-Approach.html
[5] Oxfam.
(2010). “Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation: A
Learning Companion.” Available at: http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/gender-disaster-risk-reduction-and-climate-change-adaptation-a-learning-compani-218230
[6] Oxfam
(2010).
[7] UNDP
(2012). “Policy Brief: Gender and Adaptation.” Available at: http://www.gender-climate.org/Content/Docs/Publications/UNDP_Policy-Brief-Gender-and-Adaptation.pdf
