Empowering Women in the Face of Climate Change: Addressing Disproportionate Impacts and Amplifying Voices at COP29

Climate change is a global crisis that affects all of humanity, but its impacts are not uniformly distributed. Women, particularly in developing regions, often bear a disproportionate share of the burden due to existing social, economic, and cultural inequalities. This newsletter delves into the multifaceted reasons behind this disparity, supported by pertinent facts, figures, and examples, and highlights the role of COP29 in addressing these challenges.

Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities

Women constitute a significant portion of the world's poor, making them more susceptible to climate-induced hardships. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) notes that women are more likely to be impoverished and have fewer resources to adapt to climate change impacts.

Agricultural Dependence: In many developing countries, women are responsible for 60-80% of food production. Climate change-induced droughts and floods can devastate crops, directly affecting their livelihoods and food security.

Limited Land Ownership: Cultural norms often restrict women's land ownership rights. Without land titles, women have less access to credit and resources necessary for climate adaptation strategies.

Climate change exacerbates health risks, with women facing unique challenges

Maternal Health: Extreme heat increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, including preterm births and stillbirths. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that high temperatures correlate with adverse birth outcomes.

Waterborne Diseases: Women and girls often collect water for their households. Climate-induced water scarcity and contamination heighten their exposure to diseases like cholera and dysentery.

Increased Workload

Environmental degradation forces women to travel longer distances to gather water, food, and firewood, increasing their workload and reducing time for education or income-generating activities.

Heightened Exposure to Violence

Resource scarcity and displacement due to climate disasters can lead to increased domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. The UN reports that women and girls are more vulnerable to gender-based violence in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Underrepresentation in Decision-Making

Despite being disproportionately affected, women often lack representation in climate policy and decision-making processes. This exclusion leads to the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies that do not fully address their specific needs.

Case Study: Senegalese Women Advocating for Climate Justice

In Senegal, women constitute 70% of the agricultural workforce and produce 80% of the crops. However, they face challenges in accessing land, education, and finance. Mariama Sonko leads a movement called "We Are the Solution," advocating for women's rights in agriculture. The movement educates women about their rights and finances women-led agricultural projects, aiding women from Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Gambia in agroforestry and micro-gardening.

COP29's Role in Addressing Gendered Impacts of Climate Change

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has placed a significant emphasis on gender-responsive climate action. The COP29 Presidency is committed to advancing gender-responsive climate action across three key pillars:

Representation & Gender Mainstreaming

Through the Action Agenda, COP29 introduces various platforms to unite diverse stakeholders and foster collaboration and efficiency. This includes initiatives such as the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience and the Harmoniya for Climate Action. Efforts are made to ensure the perspectives of women and girls are embedded through gender-balanced panels and events.

Gender Negotiations – Lima Work Programme

The COP29 Presidency is facilitating negotiations on the Lima Work Programme on Gender (LWPG) and its Gender Action Plan (GAP). Collaboration with the UNFCCC Secretariat is ongoing to convene stakeholders for activities under the high-level event on the COP29 Gender Equality Day.

Data, Transparency, Accountability

Ensuring transparency and accountability in gender-responsive climate initiatives is a priority, with a focus on mobilizing resources toward gender-transformative climate action.

Additionally, the European Union has committed to ambitious climate action on gender and climate change at COP29, emphasizing the importance of addressing gender issues in the fight against climate change. The EU underscores that women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change while also playing a fundamental role in the response to it. Their full and equal participation in decision-making processes and negotiations is essential for sustainable and equitable solutions.

Call to Action

Champion Gender-Responsive Climate Action—The Time is Now!

The discussions at COP29 highlight a critical juncture: addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women is not just a moral imperative—it is a necessity for achieving sustainable, equitable solutions for all. Empowering women and amplifying their voices in climate policy is essential to mitigating the climate crisis effectively and equitably.

Take a stand. Support gender equity. Together, we can create a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive in the face of climate challenges.        

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