This entry received 3rd prize in an AY2023/2024 op-ed competition by Bridging GAP (Gender and Policy), a student group at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy which aims to enhance awareness of the importance of gender among public policy students.
The urgency of addressing the climate gender gap calls for robust gender-sensitive policy interventions. The disproportionate impact of climate change on women deepens existing gender inequalities and social disparities, prompting the need for immediate action. The aftermath of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, illustrating the gendered ramifications of natural disasters, allows for the understanding and proposal of policy solutions to bridge these inequalities for a sustainable future.
Nepal ranks among the top 20 most disaster-prone regions globally. The seismic events of 2015, registering a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale, exposed the disproportionate challenges faced by women and girls, intertwining social, territorial, and economic factors, amplifying their vulnerability. Following the disaster, the government has faced severe criticism for its lack of efficiency in providing transparent and accessible aid to its most marginalised part of the population, including women. In this piece, by adopting the human security lens, a comprehensive framework is used to understand and address the multifaceted challenges within this intricate context. This framework is crucial as it underscores the imperative to address these inequities in climate action, emphasising the necessity of an inclusive and equitable approach for sustainable solutions.
Unpacking the earthquake – human security dimensions and policy proposals
Political Challenges:
The women's constrained opportunities highlight a
political obstacle deeply rooted in societal norms. Gender considerations are essential in disaster preparedness and recovery, and integrating gender-sensitive elements into disaster plans ensures active involvement of women in community-level response and recovery initiatives. It is crucial for the government to respond, leveraging Nepal’s longstanding commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) since 1979. This commitment should manifest in policies that empower women economically and politically, ensuring their active participation and representation.
Economic Challenges:
The economic complexities arising from
women’s subordinate roles and social labour divisions exacerbate their vulnerability, especially in the aftermath of disasters. A grassroots approach, exemplified by microfinancing, emerges as a viable solution. Small loans act as catalysts, economically empowering women and breaking the cyclical grip of poverty. Programmes supporting women in post-disaster livelihood recovery, encompassing training, resources, and financial assistance, can also prove effective.
Health Challenges:
In the aftermath, the health difficulties faced by women require a comprehensive approach. Ensuring sufficient nutrients and improved sanitation facilities becomes imperative. Contributions from the Nepali Government and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) play a pivotal role in providing necessary resources, addressing profound
health disparities among vulnerable women. Expanding healthcare services that focus on women’s specific health needs, with particular attention to mental health support and reproductive healthcare in post-disaster scenarios, is crucial.
Food Challenges:
The women’s firsthand experience of hunger post-destruction underscores the immediate need for community support. Relying on assistance within the community, coupled with international support from organisations like United Nations (UN) Women, becomes instrumental. Such aid not only facilitates recovery but also empowers local women and girls to emerge as leaders in humanitarian efforts, emphasising access to water and the revival of agriculture as pivotal for livelihood restoration.
Environmental Challenges:
Devastation extends to agricultural lands predominantly tended to by women, necessitating a robust environmental policy response. Nepal’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, evident in their post-earthquake environmental impact report, underscores the urgency of both short and long-term responses to safeguard women’s land ownership and mitigate environmental degradation.
Community Challenges:
The destruction of community infrastructures and gender disparities in reconstruction magnify challenges for vulnerable populations. Rehabilitation efforts must focus on rebuilding water systems and waste disposal, alleviating the burden on women and preventing diseases. The active engagement of international organisations with local communities, governments, and NGOs becomes indispensable, particularly when targeting disadvantaged communities. Encouraging and supporting active participation and leadership of women in climate resilience initiatives and allocating resources for capacity-building programmes to enhance women’s roles in decision-making processes are key to these efforts.
Personal Challenges:
Women and girls are likely to face heightened levels of violence after disasters and responding to this inequitable status quo requires a multi-dimensional approach, combining state and local-level action. It is crucial to support and strengthen health facilities, safe houses, and Police and Judicial Committees at the state level. At the local level, equipping women and girls with information on available gender-based violence services and increasing awareness among community members, including men and boys, are essential. Strengthening security measures post-disaster with a gender-responsive approach, including establishing safe spaces and the presence of female security personnel, presents a set of possible and effective policy solutions.
Conclusion
The proposed implementation plan outlines a phased rollout of policies, fostering collaboration with NGOs, international organisations, and comprehensive training and capacity building for government agencies. It is crucial to note the linkages and intertwined nature of natural disasters and effects in contributing to deepen the gender gap.
Nepal’s experience serves as a powerful lesson for addressing the climate gender gap worldwide. The endeavor to bridge inequalities for a sustainable future requires a holistic and gender-sensitive approach in addressing this gap, and such policy proposals aim not just to empower women and reduce vulnerabilities but to instil inclusivity in climate action. This model can be adapted and implemented across diverse contexts, offering valuable insights for tackling similar challenges around the globe. By incorporating the lessons learned from Nepal, the international community and actors can forge a path towards a more equitable future, where women are empowered and protected.
Prioritising gender equality becomes the key for building resilience and creating a more sustainable, just future for all.