Climate Change: Violence Against Women's Fueling Fire

Climate change is a threat multiplier, escalating political, social, and economic tensions and increasing the risk of gender-based violence. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change, such as displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to resources. Climate change-induced droughts and natural disasters, for example, increase women's vulnerability to gender-based violence as they rely more on male family members and landowners for their livelihoods. Additionally, women and girls are at greater risk of violence, including sexual violence and human trafficking, when displaced by climate change. Existing social inequalities and gender roles further exacerbate the impact of climate change on violence against women and girls.

Women are displaced by climate change, facing sexual violence and human trafficking

Women are disproportionately affected by climate change, and this is particularly true for displaced women. According to the UN Environment, 80% of people displaced by climate change are women. This displacement is caused by a variety of factors, including extreme weather events, such as flooding, water shortages, and desertification, as well as rising sea levels. These women are then at greater risk of facing sexual violence and human trafficking.

In displacement camps, women are at risk of sexual violence and exploitation. They are also vulnerable to human trafficking, early and forced marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence. This is due to a variety of factors, including the lack of resources and protection in these settings. In some cases, women who have reported sexual violence have been imprisoned instead of being protected.

Climate change impacts, such as drought and erratic rainfall, also increase the burden on women in agricultural communities. They have to work harder to secure income and resources for their families, which can lead to girls leaving school to help their mothers. This dynamic can be seen in Uganda, where changing weather patterns, heavier rainfalls, prolonged droughts, and higher temperatures have resulted in increased crop failure and food insecurity. Women in these communities are then vulnerable to sexual assault as they have to travel further to obtain food or water.

The impacts of climate change on women's livelihoods are also significant. Poor harvests, livestock loss, and lower earnings can put pressure on men's traditional roles as providers, which can lead to increased violence against women. Additionally, women who are displaced due to climate change may be forced to migrate, making them more vulnerable to human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

The link between climate change and human trafficking is becoming more apparent. As more people are displaced by extreme weather conditions, they become vulnerable to trafficking and forced labor. This is especially true for those who are already marginalized and lack the resources to protect themselves. Studies have shown that trafficking increases in the aftermath of natural disasters, and with climate change expected to intensify these events, the risk of trafficking is likely to rise.

Climate change increases gender-based violence in disaster relief camps

Climate change is causing an increase in gender-based violence in disaster relief camps. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change, including increased exposure to gender-based violence. This is due in part to the fact that women are more likely to be displaced by climate change, with an estimated 80% of those displaced being female, according to UN Environment. When women are forced to leave their homes, they become more vulnerable to violence, including sexual violence. This is especially true in disaster relief camps, where women and girls are at risk of sexual assault, human trafficking, and early or forced marriage.

In addition to the direct risks of gender-based violence, climate change also exacerbates the underlying factors that contribute to it. For example, women and girls are often responsible for securing food, water, and fuel for their families. Climate change can make these tasks more difficult, leading to increased stress and pressure within families. This can lead to domestic violence, as well as violence against women and girls in other communities.

The risk of gender-based violence is also heightened in unfamiliar areas, such as camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. With community and familial support systems disrupted, women and children are at increased risk of being abused, targeted, and exploited. This is true even in developed countries, where rates of domestic violence and sexual abuse have been found to rise during periods of economic instability and food insecurity.

Furthermore, climate change can disrupt access to contraception and other family planning measures, leading to a loss of contraceptive resources and an increase in unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. This can further exacerbate the risks of gender-based violence, as women and girls may be unable to access safe abortion services or may be pressured into continuing unwanted pregnancies.

The intersection of climate change and gender-based violence is a critical issue that requires immediate attention and action. By raising awareness, utilizing regional and international coordination, and challenging patriarchal norms, we can begin to address this complex problem and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future for women and the planet.

Women's dependence on natural resources is exploited by men with power

Women's dependence on natural resources is often exploited by men with power, leaving them vulnerable to gender-based violence and abuse. This is particularly evident in agricultural communities, where women make up a significant portion of the labour force. Climate change impacts, such as droughts and crop failures, increase women's workload and decrease their productivity, making them more susceptible to exploitation.

In many regions and cultures, women bear the primary responsibility for securing food, water, and fuel for their families. When natural disasters or climate events disrupt access to these resources, women are forced to travel farther and spend more time and energy on these tasks, leaving them exhausted and vulnerable to attack. This vulnerability is heightened in areas with inadequate infrastructure and support systems, where women are often targeted by criminal groups.

The pressure on women to provide for their families in the face of dwindling resources can lead to desperate measures. In some cases, families may resort to marrying off their daughters as a means of coping with food scarcity, which can expose young girls to sexual violence and exploitation within marriage. Additionally, women may be coerced into providing sexual favours in exchange for food or rent, as seen in cases where attempts to negotiate labour-based exchanges were rejected by powerful men.

The loss of crops and livelihoods due to climate change can also affect men's traditional roles as providers, causing them to turn to alcohol and, in some cases, become more violent towards their wives. This dynamic further exacerbates the vulnerability of women and girls, who may feel trapped in abusive relationships for fear of losing their homes or means of survival.

Furthermore, women's limited access to land ownership and decision-making power regarding natural resource management contributes to their dependence on men. In some cases, women may remain in abusive relationships or face eviction from their land due to gender-based violence and coercion, as they fear losing their homes or livelihoods. This power imbalance leaves them at the mercy of male relatives, husbands, and landowners, increasing their risk of experiencing gender-based violence.

Climate change impacts women's access to contraception and family planning

Climate change is a "grave threat" to the future of humankind and the natural environment. While population growth is a key driver of climate change, the role of effective contraception in mitigating this has been largely ignored.

Experts argue that improving access to contraception is a policy that could help halt climate change. Greater and more effective use of contraception reduces unplanned pregnancies, which contribute to population growth.

However, the reality is that millions of women are at risk of losing access to contraception due to climate-related displacement. This is particularly true in Africa, the most vulnerable continent to climate change, despite contributing only 2% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.

Analysis from MSI Reproductive Choices, an organization providing contraception and abortion services worldwide, found that since 2011, an estimated 11.5 million women have had their access to contraception disrupted due to climate-related displacement. This is expected to rise, with 14 million more women at risk of losing access over the next decade.

The consequences of this disruption are devastating. It could lead to:

• 2 million unintended pregnancies
• 1 million unsafe abortions
• 5,800 maternal deaths

In addition to displacement, climate change impacts women's access to contraception and family planning in various ways. In periods of prolonged drought, women and girls may need to make longer and more frequent journeys to obtain food or water, increasing their vulnerability to sexual assault.

In communities facing food scarcity, some food vendors, farmers, or landowners may insist on trading sex with women in exchange for food or rent. Women who negotiate providing labor instead of sex may still have their offers rejected.

Climate change-induced food insecurity and poor harvests can also affect men's traditional roles as providers, causing them stress and leading to increased alcohol consumption and violence, particularly towards their wives.

Furthermore, girls spending more time fetching water have fewer days in school and may even drop out, impacting their education and future opportunities.

To address these issues, projects such as the partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the civil society organization CEDOVIP in Uganda aim to integrate gender-based violence prevention interventions within broader climate resilience efforts.

By strengthening the capacity of national partners to understand the intersections of gender violence with their mandates, mentoring district and community-level leaders, and engaging men and women in participatory activities, the project seeks to facilitate transformation within communities vulnerable to climate change and among decision-makers.

Women are more vulnerable to violence during extreme weather events

Women are disproportionately affected by climate change, and this is particularly evident when extreme weather events occur. During such events, women are at a heightened risk of experiencing gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. This vulnerability stems from various factors, which are often interconnected and exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.

Firstly, women are more likely to be displaced by climate change. According to the UN Environment, 80% of people displaced by climate change are women. Displacement leads to crowded or insecure living arrangements, disruption of services, and destruction of infrastructure, all of which increase the risk of violence. Women who are forced to migrate face a heightened risk of gender-based violence (GBV) in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugee camps. They become targets of human trafficking and are at risk of child, early, and forced marriages.

Secondly, in many cultures, women are responsible for securing food, water, and fuel for their families. Climate change-induced droughts, erratic rainfall, and natural disasters make these tasks more challenging and increase women's exposure to GBV. Longer and more frequent journeys to obtain essential resources make women vulnerable to sexual assault. Additionally, women may be coerced into providing sexual favours in exchange for food or rent.

Thirdly, climate change affects women's livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, which employs a significant number of women worldwide. Changing weather patterns, heavier rainfall, prolonged droughts, and higher temperatures lead to crop failure, livestock loss, and food insecurity. These impacts strain men's traditional roles as providers, and the resulting stress can lead to increased violence against women within their families.

Finally, women's dependence on male relatives and landowners for their livelihoods can make them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. They may remain in abusive relationships due to the fear of losing their homes or face eviction from their land following the death of their husbands. Climate change intensifies these existing power dynamics and gender inequalities, making women more susceptible to GBV.

The intersection of climate change and gender-based violence is a critical issue that requires urgent attention. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring women's safety, empowerment, and equal participation in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

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