Women and climate are the greatest trophies of nature; however, mankind has managed to ostracize and exploit both over time. During my tenure at LUMS, I have had the opportunity to learn about both subjects and their correlation profoundly.
Our atmosphere contains an ozone layer- a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation- which excessive carbon emissions have irreversibly damaged over the course of multiple decades. The culprit behind this is the rapidly increasing number of factories and industries. You may be thinking, “But what does this have to do with women?”
These factories have not only sped up the deterioration of the atmosphere and farmlands, but have forced various villages to relocate. In rural areas, women are primarily responsible for sourcing food, water, and clothing, yet they are the ones who are deprived of most of these. With every displacement, it gets more and more difficult to shoulder these responsibilities. Additionally, the women fall prey to the aggression of the patriarchs of the household, as living conditions worsen and sources of income start to diminish. A UN Women study shows, “the instability and poverty that follow these climate-fueled conflicts lead to more instances of conflict-related sexual violence, human trafficking and child marriage”.
Moreover, the depletion of the ozone layer has resulted in global warming -the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth- which has caused detrimental climate change. Coupled with the limited access to health care services, climate change has punitively affected maternal and neonatal health. Furthermore, the epidemic of malnutrition and weak immunity among females makes them more susceptible to airborne diseases and viruses.
During my learning, I realized that if we empower and educate our women regarding the impacts of climate change, we can help them overcome any troubles they might face. These women are resilient and have remained steadfast in the face of environmental and domestic oppression, so with awareness and access to necessities, such as health care and electricity, we can aid them in achieving wonderful feats, ensuring these enlightened women pave the path for a brighter and more secure life for generations to come.