Women and Climate Change

Women and girls are hit the hardest by climate change, mainly because they make up the majority of the world’s poor. Particularly in rural areas, women are often responsible for securing food, water, and firewood for their families. Consequently, drought and erratic rainfall mean working harder to secure resources, exposing themselves to gender-based violence. Girls often have to leave school to help their mothers. In the event of an extreme weather disaster, women and children are fourteen (14) times more likely to die than men, while an estimated four out of five people displaced by the impacts of climate change are women and girls. Limited access to health care also affects women and girls acutely.

Women and girls carry a much heavier load when extreme weather events strike. It is imperative that fighting for gender equality must also include fighting for the rights of women and girls in a natural environment that is becoming all the more unpredictable and dangerous.

The intersectionality of women and girls and climate change is, therefore, a critical issue that highlights how systemic inequalities exacerbate the vulnerabilities faced by women and girls, particularly in the context of education, literacy, and creative expression. 

Climate change disproportionately affects marginalised communities, and within these communities, women and girls often bear the brunt of its impacts. This, in turn, creates barriers to their ability to write, express themselves, and participate in literary and cultural discourse.

Indigenous women and girls face heightened vulnerabilities within the intersectionality of gender due to the compounded effects of colonialism, systemic discrimination, and the erosion of their traditional lands and cultures. As custodians of ancestral knowledge and cultural practices, indigenous women often bear the responsibility of preserving their communities’ heritage, yet they are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and climate change. 

The loss of land, water, and biodiversity, central to their livelihoods and cultural identity, disproportionately impacts indigenous women and girls, who are often excluded from decision-making processes that affect their communities. This marginalisation is further exacerbated by gender-based violence, limited access to education, and economic disparities, which are often more severe in indigenous communities. 

These intersecting barriers silence their voices and restrict their ability to participate in literary and cultural spaces, perpetuating cycles of invisibility and exclusion.

Within this context, it is also imperative to acknowledge that women and girls frequently face unique challenges in accessing education and creative opportunities. Colonial legacies and ongoing systemic inequalities often result in underfunded schools and limited resources in indigenous communities, particularly for girls. Cultural stigma and gender roles may further discourage indigenous girls from pursuing writing or other forms of creative expression. 

At the same time, the erasure of indigenous languages and storytelling traditions threatens their ability to share their narratives in ways that honor their cultural heritage. For indigenous women and girls, writing is not just a form of expression but a means of reclaiming identity and resisting historical and ongoing oppression. 

Addressing these vulnerabilities, therefore, requires centering their voices in climate justice and gender equality efforts, ensuring they have the resources, platforms, and support to tell their stories and shape their futures.

1. Displacement and Loss of Access to Education

Climate change-induced disasters, such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes, often lead to displacement. Women and girls in displaced communities are frequently forced to prioritise survival over education. In many cases, they are tasked with fetching water, securing food, or caring for family members, leaving little time or opportunity for schooling or creative pursuits like writing. Displacement also disrupts access to educational resources, libraries, and safe spaces where women and girls can engage in writing.

2. Economic Hardships and Gendered Labor

Climate change exacerbates economic inequalities, particularly in agrarian and resource-dependent communities. Women and girls are often responsible for subsistence farming, water collection, and other labor-intensive tasks that become more demanding as resources dwindle. This increased burden leaves little room for intellectual or creative activities. Additionally, families facing economic hardship may prioritise boys’ education over girls’, further limiting opportunities for women and girls to develop their writing skills.

3. Health Impacts and Mental Strain

The health impacts of climate change, such as malnutrition, disease, and psychological stress, disproportionately affect women and girls. Poor health and the mental strain of coping with climate-related crises can stifle creativity and the ability to focus on writing or any other creative expression. For example, girls who are malnourished or suffering from climate-related illnesses may struggle to attend school or engage in extracurricular activities like writing clubs or workshops.

4. Cultural and Social Barriers

In many societies, cultural norms and gender roles restrict women and girls from participating in public discourse or creative fields. Climate change often reinforces these barriers, as communities facing resource scarcity may revert to traditional gender roles, further marginalising women and girls. This can prevent them from accessing platforms where their voices can be heard, including literary spaces.

5. Loss of Cultural Heritage and Storytelling Traditions

Climate change threatens cultural heritage, including oral and written storytelling traditions often preserved by women. As communities are displaced or fragmented, these traditions risk being lost, along with the unique perspectives and narratives that women and girls contribute. This loss not only silences individual voices but also erases collective histories and knowledge.

6. Lack of Safe Spaces for Expression

In the aftermath of climate disasters, safe spaces for women and girls to gather, learn, and express themselves are often destroyed or repurposed for emergency relief. Without these spaces, women and girls lose opportunities to engage in writing, share their stories, and connect with others who share their experiences.

7. Amplifying Marginalised Voices

PEN International, as an organisation dedicated to promoting literature and defending freedom of expression, has a critical role to play in addressing these challenges. By advocating for climate justice and gender equality, PEN can help create platforms for women and girls to share their stories. Initiatives such as writing workshops, mentorship programs, and publishing opportunities specifically for women and girls affected by climate change can empower them to overcome these barriers.

Conclusion

The intersectionality of women and girls and climate change reveals a complex web of challenges that prevent them from writing and expressing themselves. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that includes climate action, gender equality, and the promotion of literacy and creative expression. By amplifying the voices of women and girls, PEN International can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable literary landscape, ensuring that their stories are heard and valued in the fight against climate change.