Climate Change and Gender Inequality: A Hidden Form of Violence

Since the Industrial Revolution began in the 1760s, human activities have significantly increased the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These emissions have disrupted the earth’s climate and are now fueling the threat of global warming.

Natural processes, such as solar changes and volcanic eruptions, also affect the climate. But today, man-made factors are having a much greater impact. Activities like mining rare earth materials and the rapid expansion of space programs by companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, and others are also contributing to rising carbon emissions.

The Climate Crisis and Its Impact

Natural disasters—earthquakes, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions—cause sudden and devastating damage, taking lives and destroying homes and infrastructure.

At the same time, slower, less visible forms of damage—like mining, drilling, deforestation, overfishing, and water depletion—are silently harming ecosystems and communities over time. These actions may support industries and economies, but they gradually destroy the environment and displace people.

Wars add to the problem. For instance, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts have reportedly released over 230 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, worsening the climate crisis.

The demand for rare earth elements—used in phones, laptops, electric vehicles, military jets, and AI technologies—is causing even more damage in resource-rich regions, accelerating environmental destruction.

Climate change brings a wide range of problems: floods, droughts, land degradation, water shortages, extreme heat, storms, and soil erosion. Farmers are among the hardest hit, especially in regions like Madhesh Province, where recent droughts have caused groundwater levels to drop to alarming levels.

Climate Change and Gender Inequality

Women—particularly in developing countries—are often the most affected by climate change. This is due to existing gender inequalities and social norms. In many of these countries, women make up 45–80% of the agricultural workforce. When farming is affected by environmental issues like soil loss or drought, women face a direct hit to their livelihoods and income.

Violence, like climate change, can be both visible and invisible. It includes physical or emotional harm and can take many forms—interpersonal, organizational, societal, or structural. Peace scholar Rob Nixon coined the term “slow violence” to describe the hidden, long-term damage caused by environmental degradation. Similarly, Johan Galtung described “structural violence” as silent and invisible, yet deeply unjust.

Without considering how climate change affects men and women differently, we miss critical social dimensions of the crisis. Women often bear the brunt of climate impacts, yet they are also key players in creating solutions.

Women Leading Environmental Change

Women have long led environmental movements around the world.

• In India, the Chipko Movement in 1973, led by Gaura Devi, fought against deforestation through peaceful resistance.

• In Kenya, Wangari Maathai launched the Green Belt Movement in 1977. It empowered women, promoted education, and encouraged the planting of over 51 million trees. Maathai later became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

• In the U.S., Lois Gibbs led the Love Canal Movement in 1977. She exposed toxic waste dumping in her neighborhood, organized protests, and helped evacuate hundreds of families.

In Nepal, women have played major roles in forest conservation through Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs). Out of 204,750 members in these groups, about 42% are women. These programs not only protect forests but also empower women and improve rural livelihoods.

The Need for Gender-Sensitive Climate Governance

Women’s grassroots activism has been vital in both protecting the environment and promoting gender equality. But climate change is becoming more interconnected with daily life, especially for women in vulnerable communities.

Its effects are not always immediate, but rather unfold slowly—creating long-term harm. If these gender-specific impacts aren’t addressed early with thoughtful policies and programs, the damage could be irreversible.

That’s why it's essential to include women’s voices, experiences, and leadership in climate policies. True climate resilience demands more than technical fixes—it requires justice, inclusion, and attention to the needs of those most affected, especially women.