Climate crisis and Gender neutrality

11 Apr Climate crisis and Gender neutrality

THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF ”CLIMATE CRISIS AND GENDER NEUTRALITY ”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “SOCIAL ISSUES” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.

Why in the News?

Recently, the Supreme court of India in Ranjit kumar and others v/s Union of India pronounced that people have a right to be free from the adverse impacts of climate change under Articles 14  and Article 21 of the Constitution of India .The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also highlighted that women and children are 14 times more likely than men to succumb to the impacts of a climate induced disaster. 

What is Climate Crisis?

The climate crisis refers to the significant and rapid changes in Earth’s climate patterns, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. These changes result in rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and other environmental disruptions, posing profound threats to ecosystems and human societies worldwide.

How the Climate Crisis is disproportionately impacting women:–

• Vulnerability in Agriculture A Gendered Perspective-Women living in rural areas of India depend largely on agriculture as their main source of livelihood. Climate change-related issues like unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and floods can drastically decrease crop production, impacting these women’s food availability and earnings. Furthermore, limited access to land, credit, and technology amplifies their exposure to climate-related challenges. This not only leads to physical health issues but also places additional burdens on women, contributing to mental health challenges and emotional distress.
• Health Impacts: The Silent Crisis– Rising temperatures and air pollution pose significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Exposure to pollutants not only affects women’s respiratory and cardiovascular health but also hampers the physical and cognitive development of unborn children. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these risks and protect public health.
• Linking Extreme Events with Gender-based Violence-The escalation of extreme weather events due to climate change correlates with increased incidents of gender-based violence against women. Moreover, disruptions in water cycles further compound the issue by impeding access to safe drinking water, intensifying women’s caregiving responsibilities, and limiting their opportunities for productive work and healthcare.
• Child marriages– In areas prone to drought, women and girls face a higher risk of malnutrition due to inadequate access to food. NFHS findings reveal that women residing in these drought-prone regions exhibit higher rates of underweight and are more susceptible to early marriages, contributing to the persistence of poverty and gender disparities.

The Imperative of Gender-inclusive Climate Action-

Empowering Women for Resilience

Effective climate action demands the active participation of all segments of society. Empowering women with equal access to resources can enhance the effectiveness of climate solutions, as evidenced by the significant increase in agricultural yields when women receive equitable support. Moreover, women, especially in rural and tribal communities, have historically played pivotal roles in environmental conservation efforts.

Addressing Immediate Challenges: Heatwaves and Water Scarcity

Immediate measures are necessary to mitigate the impact of heatwaves on vulnerable groups and ensure access to safe drinking water. Strategies such as heatwave warnings, urban planning for heat resilience, and community-based water management initiatives can significantly reduce risks and enhance resilience at the grassroots level.

Local Solutions for Global Challenges

 Community-led initiatives, driven by local knowledge and participation, are crucial for building resilience to climate change. By devolving power and resources to grassroots institutions like panchayats and self-help groups, India can pave the way for inclusive and sustainable adaptation measures.

Mainstreaming Gender in Climate Policy

Efforts to mainstream gender considerations in climate policy are essential for addressing the specific vulnerabilities and capacities of women. State Action Plans on Climate Change must move beyond portraying women as mere victims and adopt gender-transformative strategies that empower women as agents of change.

Enhancing Urban Resilience to Climate Impacts

 Cities face growing susceptibility to climate-induced risks like heatwaves, floods, and air pollution. Prioritising green infrastructure in urban planning, including parks, vegetated roofs, and tree-shaded streets, can mitigate the urban heat island effect and minimise exposure to extreme heat. Moreover, efforts to enhance air quality, such as curbing vehicle emissions and advocating for clean energy solutions, are critical for safeguarding public health, especially for vulnerable groups like women and children, who are more prone to respiratory and heart ailments.

Improved Availability of Potable Water

Climate-induced disturbances to water reservoirs and supply networks intensify water scarcity, jeopardising public well-being. Immediate actions are imperative to enhance access to safe drinking water, especially for women and girls, who often shoulder the main burden of water retrieval in numerous societies. Allocating resources to water infrastructure, rainwater collection mechanisms, and purification technologies can alleviate the adverse effects of water scarcity on at-risk communities.

International conventions on climate crisis and gender neutrality

The significance of women’s involvement in sustainable development has been recognized in several key global events, including the International Conference on Population and Development (1994), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002).

Additionally, the Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD), which boasted 193 State Parties as of March 2008, acknowledges the crucial contribution of women, especially in rural areas of developing countries affected by desertification and drought.It calls for its Member States to promote women’s participation in decision-making policies and programmes that address desertification and drought conditions.

Conclusion: Women as Leaders in Climate Action

Rather than being passive victims of climate change, women possess valuable insights and capabilities that can drive meaningful progress in climate action. By acknowledging and addressing gender disparities, we can forge a path towards a more equitable and resilient future for all. Addressing climate change is expected to have differential impacts on various social groups, particularly those who are most vulnerable and lack empowerment. It is imperative that global and national strategies, along with sector-specific responses, integrate gender perspectives, conduct thorough analyses, and foster inclusive participation to effectively tackle this challenge.

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 11th April 2024

Prelims based Question- 

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the National Air Quality Index:

1. It is developed by CPCB in collaboration with IIT Kanpur.
2. The index is based on the measurement of the eight pollutants.

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 Only

(b) 2 Only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d)  Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: C

Mains Based Question-

Evaluate the role of women in climate action and propose strategies for incorporating gender-transformative approaches into national and state-level climate action plans in India.

Vikas Agarwal