siliconindia | | FEBRUARY 202419In addition, women are left behind in acquiring life-saving skills such as swimming, climbing. Women often are not allowed to evacuate their homes without consent of male member, often leading to loss of their own lives in case of disasters. This further aggravates cycle of vulnerability and resulting poverty.Economic Impact of Climate Crisis on WomenWomen are more vulnerable to social, economic and cultural impacts of climate change. 70 percent of world's 1.3 billion people under poverty line are women. 40 percent of poorest households have women as head of the family. India with its 131 rank in "Gender Inequality Index" clearly has more gender inequality to deal with and the disproportionate impacts of climate on women.A report on Impacts of COVID-19 by Dalberg Advisors in 2021 cited that one-tenth of the women surveyed ate less and had run out of food; women had lost 2/3rd of their meager incomes. 28 percent of women worked and of those 43 percent were yet to recover their work.Women Continue to AdaptWhile women get impacted more, they are also seen as more resilient, resourceful and adaptive, due to their wisdom and skillful ways in handling and preserving resources ­ water, food, etc.Women often are left to care for others (Aged family members, children) and not themselves.A report by Action Aid India cited women were last to enter shelter and first to leave during cyclone Fani at Orissa in 2019.Women with access to decision making can be agents of positive change. Women contribute to improving school attendance of next generation leading to higher food security.Expectations from Climate Policy in IndiaClimate policy should create increasing opportunities for women and girls. In India, state level plans on climate action are varied. India in its G20 representation has included inclusive women-led development and climate agenda; however it does not address disproportionate impacts of climate change on women.The policy initiatives need to recognize the gender-specific impacts of climate change and include research, finance and execution of climate impact by gender. Proposed development and policy framework should include coordination across the sectors, well defined process of capturing data, setting targets and monitoring results by gender, and an inclusive stakeholder engagement.Women should be part of policy making and planning at local and national level; Policy should ensure Planning and funding for women specific priorities. Finance decisions should integrate gender to ensure responsive finance and contribute to gender equity. Technology and funding providers should consider women specific circumstances, involve women early in life-cycle of technology deployment and work to ensure removing any barriers that cause inequality.References:"Gender and Climate Change: Dimensions and examples of the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change, the role of women as agents of change and opportunities for women. Synthesis report by the secretariat" June 2022, "Bonn Climate Change Conference", FCCC/SBI/2022/7Dr. Renu Rajani is a Senior IT industry leader and apart from her work, has been involved in number of Diversity and Inclusion; Environment Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Views expressed here are her own. In India, during rains, draughts, pandemic, women form larger proportion of population impacted with threatened natural resources
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