Women Struggle with Climate Challenges and Gender Inequality in India Despite Contribution

Photo by Paul Thompson

In 2027, Ms. Justice BV Nagarathna is poised to become India's first female Chief Justice, signifying a historic breakthrough

[{"selector":"#anim-36a2df0e-5232-4843-ae3e-dd0a3d7517b2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.9881250725993596%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-485964bd-f8f9-4392-a119-2a7aee9ab131","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by IRRI

Ms. Rashmi's anticipated role as Maharashtra's first female DGP is stalled, reflecting persistent gender biases in leadership positions.

[{"selector":"#anim-bd0f731d-ca81-4102-afc8-ba981a10dab1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.26051502297226%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f8c6336-895d-4995-9251-a4abdc202c24","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-229c3bd6-ae7c-463a-bc5f-8fc098ee6068","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.29559%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by UN Women/Joser Dumbrique

Women disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change impacts, as underscored in recent COP28 deliberations.

[{"selector":"#anim-4921e08d-8e87-4208-8e12-f6ff335bafaa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.24406238622572%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1b20a2db-0a7d-41f3-a7d3-8891939c0a3a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-901753c3-0255-4471-a933-cd13677e6968","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 161.69386%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by UN Women

Reports reveal a stark increase in poverty and food insecurity among women due to climate-related issues.

[{"selector":"#anim-9cbd07fe-dc8e-4681-8e1d-6f1556bec0e2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.900312372003935%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51958bd0-d73c-4dc6-8f80-6ca52cad87dc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cdf98dc4-d249-4a39-9cce-55d28b381325","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(114.46540%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by Sigismund von Dobschütz

UNFPA highlights the alarming rise in maternal mortality, sexual violence, and homelessness among women affected by climate change.

[{"selector":"#anim-ca07e7a3-fd99-4329-8df4-05a2c62c97ba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.23376018836101%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6fc37e52-f781-4fc1-81fc-7722dd4bc3ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d293272-6fdd-4bd0-83ef-6d9530bede72","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 367.38145%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by Google

The call for gender-responsive climate action and justice was emphasized on 'gender equality day'.

[{"selector":"#anim-80d923a5-8f11-427b-ba79-82742d4f473d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-4.336095177846262%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da738561-23dd-4da6-ae9c-c1f199d9e1fa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22d5ea90-8383-48fa-8656-a88bf84feaf0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 189.75850%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by Google

Women's predominant role in Southeast Asian agriculture is threatened by climate variability, affecting their livelihoods and security.

[{"selector":"#anim-33739133-55b6-4286-917e-cfb4d808617e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.900312372003935%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-79bdd8a3-a0c8-45bb-b372-b0aa7a6f0df8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ca65b3f-5b10-4345-b463-db3a25c451b6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 152.60295%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by Sigismund von Dobschütz

Despite contributing significantly to farm and industrial production, women's voices remain marginalized in climate change discourse.

[{"selector":"#anim-4742ed45-46b4-4c50-8a82-b639d3687273 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.494062272451448%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1f2dfbc7-23fe-4b2e-9c7d-c9051310fe81","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35bc9702-6635-481f-a041-0b10122c31bd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 143.98961%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by IRRI

Initiatives like all-girls Sainik Schools in India and visible gender equality in US armed forces mark small but significant steps towards balance.

[{"selector":"#anim-6ef39814-c238-4a61-8606-cdecaad6a9ef [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.23376018836101%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e20a755-e305-4b9b-aa2b-f9e7f583f616","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98dd7b90-229d-441b-bf79-3d5a511850cb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 143.98961%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo by IRRI

[{"selector":"#anim-b544c294-63c1-4014-b2c5-2ff5745e6d26 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-14.50871071004034%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d06246c-7752-45f3-bc4e-bf60e0f5b4d5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2bb3ec31-4a44-49ce-a923-9e094b7c078c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 574.31440%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more