How Women’s Environmental Action Across the Global South Can Create a Better Planet

Oct 20, 2023 | Andi M. Pratiwi
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Climate change has different impacts on men and women, especially in the Global South.

Patriarchal culture is the cause behind this. We often do not involve women in responding to environmental problems. To often, we exclude them in discussions on solutions to climate crisis.

Patriarchal culture also creates unequal gender relations, with women being considered only capable of managing household and domestic work.

Leaving women out when coming up with environmental solutions puts them in more vulnerable positions.

When climate change-related events occurs – such as more extreme weather, forest fires or floods – women and girls bear a heavier burden and experience more severe impacts. Violence against women is also on the rise amid global warming.

However, we need to change the narrative that women are merely “victims” of climate crisis.

In reality, women in the Global South countries also possess the abilities and strength to protect the environment. They manifest their power to preserve the environment in various actions, both formal and informal, individual and collective.