Gender Inequality and Climate Change are Not Separate Challenges

Jan 9, 2023 | Economist Impact
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Climate impacts are reversing gains in gender equality. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis, which amplifies existing inequalities and builds on societal expectations related to gender roles. They face greater hurdles to climate adaptation, significant economic repercussions, increased unpaid care and domestic work, and a higher risk of violence due to the crisis’s compounding impacts.

For example, women and girls in many regions are responsible for securing food, water and fuel, which becomes a lot more taxing during droughts. Underlying gender disparities—whether in access to education, information, mobility, resources, training or health care—also make women less likely to survive disasters. When it comes to gender-based violence, studies have shown that it becomes more prevalent after natural emergencies, with far-reaching health consequences.