Worried about climate change? Exploring it's hidden impact on women

Presently, major cities in India are suffocating with air quality that has been worsening every day with many areas in the national capital Delhi touching the 'hazardous' category. Aamchi Mumbai has been struggling too with some reports quoting experts as saying that the air in the city is as bad as smoking 1000 cigarettes within a short period. Despite the AQI in Mumbai being 'moderate' overall, light haze has seemingly settled over the city.

United Nations has dubbed climate change as one of the most defining issues of time. The impact that climate change has on our ecosystems, weather patterns and overall environmental stability demands urgent attention and collection action.

The urgency needed to address the issue cannot be overstated. With every passing year, the consequences of the inaction of the leaders become more apparent. The scenarios unfolding are realities that demand immediate attention from all.

It's not unknown that consequences of climate change extend far beyond environmental concerns and pose a significant threat to human well-being, particularly to women.

Climate change exacerbates existing gender inequalities and disproportionately affects women in various ways.

Speaking to mid-day.com, Sumaira Abdulali, the founder of the non-governmental organisation Awaaz Foundation affirmed that climate change disproportionately affects women. "Women are often seen as primary caregivers for both young and the elders in the family and a woman doesn't only bear the brunt of climate change for herself, she also faces consequences for her family," she noted.

She further elaborated on the point that the responsibility of the home is on women's shoulders and added that they, on a personal level too, are more vulnerable in case a natural calamity hits. Citing the United Nations, she said that women have fewer opportunities to save themselves.

"In case there's a flood, reports of the UN have said that women have fewer opportunities to save themselves. For example, they are less likely to be taught how to swim or they are less likely to be able to survive in that circumstance. The last thing is that they are less likely to be able to move away from that place than men. They can move to different places, they can take jobs they can do all those things but typically the women get left behind and they have to deal with the consequences not only for themselves but for their families," she reasoned.

Abdulali, who is known for her fight against noise pollution in Mumbai, added that it's a "well-established fact" that climate change affects women more and she added that they are also less likely to be involved in the decision-making which leads to the climate change.

"Climate change is a global issue. It's worsened because of local policies," Abdulali added.

Seema Bhasakran who is associated with Transform Rural India as a leader in Gender department and Ashwini Kulkarni, the founder trustee and director of Pragati Abhiyan have both echoed similar sentiments when quizzed about how climate change limits women's access to resources.

"Because of the rapid climatic changes, women's access to natural resources is dwindling," Seema Bhaskaran mentioned.

"Availability of water for drinking or livestock is still dependent on women getting it. So now the issue is that who bears the brunt of going all the way and getting everything," Kulkarni questioned.

She added that although they were given gas cylinders in an attempt to make them switch from burning firewood, many cannot afford to continue using it.

Speaking further, she stated that this year, Maharashtra experienced very erratic rainfall which has also affected food supply. Kulkarni added that a woman is entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the family's nutritional needs intact.

"Who has to put together all this and ensure that everybody gets something on their plate? Even when they get some food through systems like ration; when they try to buy and eat something, the question about the nutritious value of the food arises," Kulkarni noted.

Climactic changes affect women's health

Seema Bhaskaran highlighted, "India is progressing towards becoming the fifth largest economy globally; however, National Family Health Survey reports show a worrying trend concerning women's health. Malnourishment and anaemia are two of the most worrying features. Rather than decreasing, the percentage of malnourishment across all states has gone up. Anaemia, too, including that of during pregnancy comes to 50-60 per cent."

She further stated that women don't have access to good fuel wood; the smoke emitted from it gets absorbed in women's lungs as they sit in a corner and cook meals. "A lot of drudgery is caused because of lack of access to even basic natural resources," Bhaskaran said.

Kulkarni's organisation has been working in over 400 villages across 13 districts in Maharashtra. Sharing her observations, she said, "Many people that we work with often talk about how the weather has become unpredictable. While they speak about the issue, they don't connect it with climate change; however, it's palpable that this is the result of climactic changes," she addressed.

The three noted that climate change leaves women far more vulnerable since they do not have a seat on the table while policies are formulated to combat such a critical issue. Due absence of representation and consideration of their opinions in the decision-making process, further exposes them to being affected by climate change.

How can women's involvement impact the movement?

When asked if there are ways in which the issue could be addressed, Sumaira said that the approach towards this should be the same as women's issues are approached. "It's time environmental issues become a mainstream subject. The women's organisations and groups which are already working on different aspects of women's rights should take a very important role in this because they must mainstream it into their programs, it can't be a one-off program because of environmental issues."

"There are so many movements to try and make sure that women come into the field of tech which has been typically male-dominated. Similarly, I think for climate change we need an actual movement towards making women aware that it's their issue."

Ashwini stated that every time they visit a place, they ensure that the meeting is attended by the women in the village. "We hardly have made decisions in women's absence. We press for women's participation," she said adding that women's participation in policy-making is present only on paper.

Ashwini endorsed that the existing policies' implementation formed by government agencies should be released. Furthermore, she endorsed the inclusion of women in awareness camps and training camps. "We don't have to wait to revive women's participation in decision-making. And we are seeing that when women are present in meetings, only then is the decision made," she added.

Before signing off, Sumaira made an interesting observation on the involvement of women in the climate action movement. "There are many women who are currently not part of the workforce. These women can be enrolled in becoming voices for the climate. This is not something that requires a full nine-to-five job, you can do it alongside other things you're doing. These women should also be reached out to so that they become productive members contributing to looking after themselves and other women from the effects of climate change. It's very important to include homemakers."