The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines Climate Change as a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere, and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.
According to Flavia Pansieri, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, “ human-induced climate change, is an assault on the ecosystem that we all share, but it also has the added feature of undercutting right, important rights like the rights to health, the right to food, to water and sanitation, to adequate housing and, in a number of small island States and coastal communities, the very right to self-determination and existence”.
The subsequent analysis reveals the relationship between climate change and Gender-Based Violence while indicating possible solutions on ending climate change -related GBV.
The gender dimensions of the climate crisis are well documented. Analysis from eco-feminist theories on climate change have long drawn links to the roots of this crisis in histories of colonial resource extraction and capitalist industrial production, which themselves are shaped and legitimated by patriarchal logics of domination and exploitation. A feminist understanding of the climate catastrophe highlights the intersectional nature of the gender inequalities unleashed as a result, including increased violence against women, girls and gender non-conforming individuals. Various research studies show that women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change as they face multiple forms of discriminations including lower levels of education, less access to resources, and more barriers to land ownership and use.
A paper on “Gender Based Violence and its intersection with Climate Change”, drafted by the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (2022), noted that Climate change has severe impacts across the globe. It can affect food systems, eco-systems, natural resources, socio-economic systems, human health and welfare, and is increasingly a driver of conflict and displacement. It also has grave consequences to GBV, as it increases the drivers for violence, particularly in conflict, displacement, food insecurity, socio-economic impacts and the disruption of protective systems. For example, women and girls are primarily responsible for food production and water collection globally. As these key resources are becoming scarcer and unaffordable, violence against women and girls increases. Socioeconomic pressures drive sexual exploitation and abuse, early and forced marriage and intimate partner and domestic violence, among other forms of GBV.
Some of the drivers of GBV include harmful cultural, societal, religious and patriarchal norms which are embedded on unequal power relations between men and women, poverty and inequality, which can also be exacerbated by climate change. It is acknowledged that climate change is not only an environmental phenomenon but is as much a human and social justice issue as it is not gender neutral. Climate change affects men and women in their diversities differently, and because of differential social positioning it often leaves women more disadvantaged as compared to men. Women are more vulnerable to the impact of climate change than men, as they make up the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on natural resources that are under threat from climate change. Furthermore, women’s unequal participation in decision-making processes increases inequalities and often prevents women from fully contributing to climate -related planning, policymaking, and implementation. It also leaves women and girls susceptible to other forms of violence such as GBV as they become more and more dependent on their male counterparts for sources of livelihoods.
Climate adaptation is critical to mitigating gender-based violence during climate crises. Climate adaptation describes the process of adjusting to the impacts of climate change to minimise risks and take advantage of new opportunities. It is a crucial aspect of addressing the climate crisis, especially for communities that are already facing significant challenges. The implementation plan must address issues related to equity and justice, given that climate change has the potential to exacerbate current inequality throughout the continent. This includes procedural, distributional and recognitional justice, especially in relation to who is most vulnerable, where the burden of adaptation lies, and how to mobilise resources for adaptation.
There are many ways that Climate Change and GBV can be addressed. These solutions can range from targeted or increased funding, cross-cutting programming, supporting women led organisations, women’s rights organisations, support and implementation of national and international laws/treaties regarding climate change (e.g. The Paris Agreement, 2015) as well as GBV (e.g. CEDAW, 1979, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, 2000). Storing adequate resources is necessary in addressing impacts of GBV in Climate Disasters such as food, water and the provision of sexual and reproductive health services, GBV services and ensuring access to humanitarian assistance for all affected is required. Further, ensuring adequate technical knowledge both in prevention and response is necessary to best provide services to affected communities.
Another angle is that working together, men, women and gender diverse people can challenge the patriarchal systems that perpetuate climate change to leave behind a more gender just and ecologically sustainable society for future generations. Such solutions are not the only answer, but an important opportunity to strengthen the call for social, economic and environmental justice for all. A gender transformative response to climate change must not only be sensitive to gender differences in roles and needs but must also address social and economic power imbalances between and among women and men.
In South Africa, for instance, the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has developed a Draft National Climate Change Gender Action Plan (GAP) with the purpose of addressing South Africa’s challenges on gender and climate change mainstreaming through six core strategic actions. These are:
- Strategic Action 1: Revise institutional arrangements for gender-climate mainstreaming.
- Strategic Action 2: Formalise relationships for sectoral gender mainstreaming.
- Strategic Action 3: Develop dedicated sectoral gender policies.
- Strategic Action 4: Establish robust, participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks for gender mainstreaming.
- Strategic Action 5: Align funding streams for gender-climate mainstreaming. Strategic Action 6: Develop a Gender awareness and capacity building programme.
Whereas the policy framework in South Africa on Climate change is on a positive trajectory, in truth climate change as an issue is little known to those most affected and the importance of gender mainstreaming of climate change is often misunderstood. There remains a huge gap between drafted polices and strategies and their implementation. At a local government level, the effects of climate change have yet to be explored and understood by those tasked with the duty to develop strategies to address climate change.
Following acute climate disaster events, food stores, safe shelter, access to services such as GBV services, sexual and reproductive healthcare, education, social protection, and/or access to economic resources are severely limited. Women and girls experience increased risk when attempting to access humanitarian assistance or other basic services, including sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian actors, or other forms of violence when travelling to, queuing for or receiving assistance. After natural disasters, women and girls experience increased GBV risks, particularly intimate partner violence, early and forced marriage, sexual violence, and limited access to GBV response services.
In response to Decision 24/COP.15, which approved a “road map to guide and accelerate the implementation of the Gender Action Plan through gender-responsive and transformative approaches, the Policy on Gender Equality 2020-2030 highlighted that mainstreaming gender equality is critical to ensure that the gender dimensions are adequately addressed in relevant national plans and policies. As stakeholders, partnering with policy makers, we can advocate for gender balance, participation and women leadership. Furthermore, capacity building, knowledge sharing and communication is critical for communities, so that they can understand the gender dimension of climate change. Gender responsive implementation, monitoring and reporting, should form basis of our engagements with communities.
Compiled by: Dr Deliwe Menyuko
Edited By Kgomotso Mophulane
