International Women’s Day: Why is it important to inspire the inclusion of women in climate change spaces?

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day is held on March 8th each year, with the goal of celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements that women have made. The day marks an important reminder for the world of what still has to be done to improve equality for all women, of all backgrounds, worldwide.

This year, the theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Inspire inclusion’, which aims to help us imagine and then work towards a world that is inclusive for all women. Women can offer a unique perspective on environmental issues, such as climate change, but work is still needed to reach gender equality in this field. In order to work towards an inclusive future, we need to break barriers and challenge the stereotypes that women of all backgrounds face. This way, safe and diverse environments can be created where all women are respected, celebrated, and equal. 

“When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world” – International Women’s Day Website

How does this relate to the climate change space?

As discussed by the UN Women, the climate crisis is not gender neutral and can affect the women in the global south disproportionately to the men. Women are more vulnerable to climate change’s effects due to social, economic, and cultural factors. For example, it is common for women to be the primary caregivers in families. As climate-related disasters increase, women may face increased demand and difficulty in caring for children, the sick, and their families. This can put strain on them as their workload increases and impact their economic opportunities. 

In addition, women have historically not had a ‘seat at the table’ when issues that affect them are discussed, and have faced barriers when it comes to leadership. This is especially true for women belonging to minority groups. This makes it hard to have their experiences heard when it comes to understanding personal experiences of the climate crisis and finding solutions that benefit everyone. 
According to the World Economic Forum, research has found that when women make up the majority of leadership groups, the environmental benefits are often greater, and climate aid is more likely to support all genders and their needs. Countries that have greater numbers of women in parliament have lower climate footprints and stricter climate policies. Recognising the importance of women in climate change discourse, and inspiring the inclusion of women from all backgrounds can help empower international efforts to slow down the effects of climate change. Therefore, inspiring the inclusion of women in climate change spaces is incredibly important for making positive change.

Looking forward 

The inclusion of women in climate conversations has been continually improving, with more and more women becoming involved in discourse and leadership. By embracing and supporting the diverse perspectives and invaluable contributions of women, we not only enhance the effectiveness of our climate change efforts but also cultivate a more just and inclusive society. As women continue to take a large role in climate change conversations, their visibility will inspire others to become involved.

Sources:

• Five ways to support women’s climate leadership for locally-led action | International Institute for Environment and Development (iied.org)
• World Economic Forum
• Explainer: How gender inequality and climate change are interconnected | UN Women – Headquarters
• International Women’s Day 2024 (internationalwomensday.com)