Disproportionate Impact: Climate change intensifies existing gender inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, especially in rural and climate-vulnerable communities in India.
Beijing Report Gap: The Beijing India Report 2024 lacks a robust climate-gender lens, missing a critical intersection.
Increased Burden: Climate-induced water scarcity, extreme heat, and erratic rainfall increase women’s workload (water collection, caregiving), reduce agricultural productivity, and limit income-generating opportunities. Women spend 150 million workdays collecting water each year. Women’s unpaid workload could reach 8.3 hours/day by 2050.
Health Risks: Climate change exacerbates malnutrition, anemia (52.2% of pregnant women affected), maternal and neonatal health issues, and increases the risk of domestic violence (potential 23.5% rise by 2090).
Economic Vulnerability: Women are overrepresented in climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, leading to job losses and financial insecurity. Climate change could push 16 million more women than men into poverty by 2050.
Migration and Displacement: Rural women are highly vulnerable to climate-induced migration, facing adverse health outcomes and increased risks of exploitation and gender-based violence.
Traditional Knowledge: Women possess valuable knowledge of sustainable agriculture and local resource management, crucial for food security and ecosystem preservation.
Women-Led Initiatives: Women are at the forefront of climate adaptation efforts, from sustainable farming to disaster response and community-based
Policy Recommendations: Mainstream gender in climate frameworks (NAPCC, SAPCC), prioritize climate-responsive budgeting, establish local support systems, promote skilling and livelihood diversification, and enhance women’s access to climate information.
Need for gender responsive National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) and a percolation to the grass-root level needs to be ensured.
