Welcome to #ClimateWatch, a transformative program dedicated to empowering female journalists and young girls to harness the power of mobile storytelling for climate justice. Our mission is to shed light on the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized women and girls while advocating for gender-responsive climate narratives. We not only aim to share the stories of women's climate hardships but also to hold policymakers accountable for gender-inclusive climate adaptation.
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges, with far-reaching impacts on societies and ecosystems. In Sri Lanka, as in many other parts of the world, women are disproportionately affected by the adverse effects of climate change. This problem analysis delves into the specific ways in which climate change impacts women in Sri Lanka, highlighting the urgent need for gender-responsive and inclusive interventions.
Women and men experience climate change impacts differently, and in Sri Lanka, gender-based inequalities compounded by factors such as ethnicity, religion, gender identity, disability, and income level create a complex web of vulnerabilities for women. These intersecting factors further exacerbate women's risks and challenges during climate-related crises, making them particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change (Perera, Ariyabandu, & Withanachchi, 2023).
Women in Sri Lanka often bear the brunt of climate change due to their traditional roles and responsibilities. They are primarily responsible for securing food, water, and energy for daily use, which requires them to manage household water, agriculture, and food security. However, the impacts of climate change disrupt these roles in several ways:
Sri Lanka's Dry Zone, which covers approximately 70% of the country's land area, faces desertification and water scarcity. Women are tasked with managing household water, and as water sources become scarcer, they must travel longer distances to fetch water, jeopardizing their safety and limiting their time for other activities.
Women in the dry zone heavily rely on rain-fed agriculture, which is vulnerable to erratic rainfall patterns. This leads to decreased crop yields and economic instability, affecting women's livelihoods and food security.
Women engaged in tea plantation labor and fish processing are exposed to extreme heat and declining fish stocks, respectively, due to climate change. These factors not only impact their health but also threaten their sources of income.
Coastal areas in Sri Lanka are vulnerable to sea-level rise and erosion. When families are forced to relocate to safer locations due to climate change-induced events, women often bear the responsibility of finding shelter and caring for their families.
Climate change-related challenges can disrupt education, leading to girls dropping out of school to assist their families during crises. Women's lack of access and control over resources, coupled with limited economic opportunities, further hinder their ability to cope with and adapt to climate change impacts. In particular, women's lack of land ownership and liquid assets makes it difficult for them to recover from natural disasters.
Gender-blind and non-inclusive climate actions in Sri Lanka exacerbate the vulnerabilities of women and other marginalized groups. Urgent intervention is essential for the following reasons:
Women, indigenous people, youth, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are all at risk. Addressing gender disparities and including these marginalized groups in climate change adaptation strategies is vital to protect their rights and well-being.
Empowering women and providing them with the tools and resources to adapt to climate change will not only benefit them but also contribute to building more resilient communities.
Women can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change when given opportunities to participate as role models, decision-makers, and environmental stewards. Their inclusion is crucial for implementing effective climate solutions (Peiris, 2010).
In conclusion, the impact of climate change on women in Sri Lanka is a pressing issue, characterized by gender disparities, traditional societal roles, and intersecting vulnerabilities. Urgent and comprehensive interventions that address these disparities and empower women are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, build resilience, and ensure a more sustainable and equitable future for all.