CONTEXT AND SITUATION

• Disproportionate Impact of Climate Crisis on Women and Girls
  • Women and girls face higher health risks, especially in poverty.
  • Existing roles, responsibilities, and cultural norms exacerbate these risks.
  • UNDP reports women and children are 14 times more likely to die in disasters.
• Legal Recognition and Rights
  • The Supreme Court of India has affirmed the right to a clean environment, recognizing it as a fundamental right.
  • This ruling acknowledges the need to protect individuals from adverse climate change effects

EXTREME EVENTS AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

• Impact on Women’s Livelihoods in Agriculture
  • Agriculture is vital for women in rural India, but climate-driven crop yield reductions heighten food insecurity
  • 75% of Indian districts are vulnerable to hydromet disasters like floods, droughts, and cyclones(report from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) in 2021)
  • Poor households, especially those with small landholdings, suffer nutritional deficiencies due to reduced crop yields.
  • Men face social stigma from unpaid loans, leading to migration and emotional distress, while women experience heavier domestic work burdens and higher rates of intimate partner violence.
• Health and Social Consequences
  • Women in drought-prone areas face more significant challenges, including higher underweight rates, intimate partner violence, and girl marriages (National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4 and 5 data)
  • These challenges not only impact physical health but also mental health and emotional well-being, leading to a cycle of poverty and vulnerability
• Correlation with Gender-Based Violence
  • Studies show a direct link between natural disasters and gender-based violence against women.
  • Changes in water patterns due to extreme weather impact access to safe drinking water, affecting women’s health and productivity.
• Health Risks from Climate Change
  • Rising temperatures pose risks to pregnant women, children, and the elderly, increasing preterm births and eclampsia risks.
  • Air pollutants affect women’s health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and impacting fetal growth and brain development
  • NOTE – Emerging data from cohort studies in India show that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM₅, the risk of lung cancer increases by 9%, the risk of cardiovascular deaths on the same day by 3%, and stroke by 8%. For dementia, the risk increased by 4% for 2 micrograms increase in annual PM_2.5.
• Need for Intersectional Approach
  • Not all women face equal risks within the same geographic zones, highlighting the need for understanding intersectional vulnerabilities

ON HEATWAVES AND WATER SHORTAGE

• Addressing Heatwaves for Priority Groups
  • Immediate action is needed to reduce the impact of prolonged heat on vulnerable groups like outdoor workers, pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
  • Excess deaths during heatwaves in Indian cities highlight the urgency of measures such as heat wave warnings, adjusting outdoor work timings and school schedules, providing cooling rooms in health facilities, and ensuring access to public drinking water.
• Urban Planning for Heat Resilience
  • Urban planning strategies like increasing tree cover, reducing concrete, creating green-blue spaces, and designing heat-resilient housing are crucial for long-term heatwave adaptation.
  • Initiatives like painting roofs with reflective white paint, as shown by the Mahila Housing Trust in Udaipur, can significantly reduce indoor temperatures and improve quality of life.
• Combatting Water Shortages
  • Water scarcity poses a significant threat, requiring societal action and innovative solutions.
  • India’s traditional rainwater harvesting systems can be revitalized, as demonstrated by projects mapping water sources and vulnerabilities, like those by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Tamil Nadu.
  • Local plans leveraging geographic information systems can guide government schemes and resources towards improving water access and resilience

WHY DOES CLIMATE ACTION NEED WOMEN?

• Inclusive Participation for Effective Climate Action
  • Achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals demands the involvement of everyone, highlighting the necessity of women’s participation in climate action.
  • Inclusivity ensures a diverse range of perspectives, leading to more comprehensive and effective solutions.
• Empowerment for Enhanced Solutions
  • Empowering women with equal access to resources leads to improved climate solutions.
  • Studies show that when women have the same resources as men, agricultural yields increase significantly, benefiting food security and sustainability.
• Leadership in Conservation Efforts
  • Tribal and rural women have historically played key roles in environmental conservation, showcasing their leadership and knowledge in sustainable practices.
  • Their experiences and practices can inform and inspire innovative approaches to address climate challenges.
• Encouraging Local Solutions through Women Collectives
  • Women collectives such as Self-help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations can be catalysts for local solutions.
  • Providing these collectives with knowledge, tools, and resources empowers them to develop and implement tailored climate solutions at the grassroots level.
• Contextual Adaptation for Varied Challenges
  • Adaptation measures must account for the diverse challenges faced in rural and urban areas, including varying exposure to heat, air pollution, and access to essential resources.
  • Women’s involvement ensures that adaptation strategies are contextually relevant, addressing specific needs and vulnerabilities within communities.

WORKING AT THE VILLAGE LEVEL

• Convergence of sectors and services and prioritisation of actions can happen most effectively at the village or panchayat levels
• Devolution of powers and finances and investing in building the capacity of panchayat and SHG members can be India’s way of demonstrating how to build resilience in a community-led and participatory way.

CONCLUSION

• State-action plans like NAPCC and SAPCCs acknowledge women’s impacts but often portray them as victims, missing deeper gender dynamics.
• A review of 28 SAPCCs revealed a lack of transformative approaches, with few recognizing women as agents of change.
• Recommendations stress moving beyond stereotypes, recognizing all genders’ vulnerabilities, and implementing gender-transformative strategies for comprehensive climate adaptation.
• Empowering women as leaders rather than victims is crucial for effective climate action.