“Although Climate change has a great impact on sections of the population, in all countries that are most reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods. However, women commonly face higher risks and greater burdens from the impacts of climate change in situations of poverty. Yet women can play a critical role in response to climate change” These were the words of the Honorable Minister of Environment in Nigeria during the launching of the National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change reported by Channels TV.
This brings some important questions to mind:
- How are Women more at risk of experiencing climate change impacts?
- How can Women Play Key Roles in Tackling Climate Change?
How are women at risk of climate change impacts?
It is a known fact that climate change has badly impacted the entire world. Developing nations like Nigeria face the most significant repercussions, including rising sea levels and temperature, droughts, loss of biodiversity, land conflicts between farmers and herders, displacement and forced migration.
In a recent program, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a study on climate-gender relations, claiming 80% of the displaced people by climate change are females. This generates a significant burden for the feminine gender (both elderly and young) as they experience the most unique repercussions.
Let’s look at some following ways they are impacted
In the Household
In developing countries such as Nigeria, women usually do the majority of household responsibilities, including cleaning and cooking, both of which are threatened by climate change. According to Gallup News, women are primarily responsible for cooking (about 51%) and sanitation/laundry (approximately 56%).
During droughts and water scarcity, women are the ones who venture out to get food and water, sometimes to unsafe areas, and on top of that these water sources are typically unclean and contaminated. Nonetheless, they must make the difficult decision since the family must eat and drink, and she must use water for cooking, which causes water-related illness.
In Agriculture
45 – 80% of farmers in developing countries are women. African Development Bank (AfDB) reported that in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the women workforce constitutes about 70%. During food scarcity due to climate change, these women lose their livelihood and means to support their families, and consequently, when the prices skyrocket as a result of the scarcity, women also find it difficult to feed their families.
Women life
During the reproductive years of women, mostly in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria lack access to basic facilities, women suffer more from macro and micronutrient deficiencies which have a ripple effect on the socio-economic growth of Nigeria and also a long-term effect on their health.
According to WHO “Deficiencies in iron, vitamin A and iodine are the most common around the world, particularly in children and pregnant women. Low- and middle-income countries bear the disproportionate burden of micronutrient deficiencies.” Malnutrition is linked to increased food and water scarcity (which are heavily impacted by climate change), making access to varieties more difficult. Also, women and children in middle and low-income countries have no education which teaches them to practice optimal dietary.
Social & Political barriers
Looking at the Nigerian policy-making sector, we may see a gender disparity in the policy. According to Vanguard News, research from Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) claims that just 6% of the female gender is represented. This is much below world standards.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, men comprise more than 94% of the Nigerian National Parliament. As a result of this disparity, the representation of women in solutions and policies that alleviate the stresses for women are either not in place or thoroughly thought through, therefore, widening the gap in response.
Climate change significantly influences agriculture, water, housing, and sanitation, and women’s activities and obligations frequently overlap in all of these sectors. According to the UN Women, women are 14 times more likely than males to die due to climate change catastrophes.
How can Women Tackle Climate Change?
As previously said, women face most of the burden of climate change; nonetheless, they remain underrepresented in decision-making and policy sectors. To achieve a well-rounded development, women must be included in creating, implementing, and assessing all aspects of climate change responses, as stated in the UN’s Gender Action Plan. This includes promoting women’s economic empowerment and making it the main focus of climate policy and action.
Let us consider 3 areas in which women can aid in battling climate change:
Farm Productivity
According to Climatescience.org, land cultivated by women produces 20-30% fewer crops than land farmed by males. Why does this exist? It’s relatively easy, and it’s not due to a lack of talent since women are just as skilled as most men, but they need access to the same opportunities and resources as men. As previously stated, women make up over 50% of the farming business in Nigeria; imagine how much more productive that sector might be if women were given equal chances.
Giving women equal opportunities is predicted to result in over 100 million fewer hungry people. We conclude that gender inequality is a significant hazard to food security. When we talk about productivity, we notice that women do so much in their homes and communities, despite not being well-represented in policymaking. Simple measures, such as fairly splitting household responsibilities, will alleviate burdens while increasing productivity and teamwork between both partners.
Women will have more time to devote to more productive jobs that aid in combating climate change and increasing resilience, such as education and engagement in research, technology, and policymaking. This leads us to the following point.
Family planning
With fewer duties and more access to education, women are exposed to more knowledge that aids in combating climate change, such as family planning. They will be equipped with the information and resources to engage in appropriate family planning to help prevent unwanted births.
According to a survey by the United Nations’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency, approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned (about 121 million annually globally). This impacts the environment because uncontrolled population expansion limits economic development and increases climatic impacts. The most vulnerable nations and societies, such as Nigeria, bear the brunt of the consequences. With family planning, the stigma associated with contraception will be removed, and women will have more access to improved contraception and family planning services.
Women will be granted the right to decide whether or not they want children, how many they want, and when they want them. This will favour the environment since the population will be adequately managed and not put under unnecessary strain. In Nigeria, family planning and girl-child education will lower greenhouse gas emissions by 10-29% and assist in keeping temperatures from increasing over 2 degrees Celsius (global warming).
Environmental/Climate Leadership
With more opportunities available, women are more likely to take on more roles as environmental leaders, and they will also be adequately represented in the Nigerian legislature. This provides a more equitable perspective when making decisions that affect all life in the country and the sustainability of the environment. A diverse viewpoint is essential for developing a more sustainable, unified approach to combating climate change. Companies led by women are more likely to report their greenhouse gas emissions.
Women filling that gap in science and technology for innovation will significantly aid in combating climate change faster than we realize. Empowering women means empowering the lives of all Nigerians and the environment in which we live.
Author: Amaefule Excel Obumneme