Apr 24, 2024
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.
In recent times, there has been a notable emphasis from global leaders on addressing the gender gap across various sectors, including workforce, health, education, and the economy. Despite these calls, the challenge persists, with the impact of spoken words disproportionately favouring men over women and children. I had the privilege of attending a Food Security Conference organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2018, where a powerful statement from a native or first nation woman from Peru continues to resonate with me: “The men leave the village to work in the cities, while the women and children are left alone to look for food and continue their daily lives.”
This experience prompted me to ponder why conferences focused on bridging the gender gap often yield only incremental progress, as illustrated in the scenario mentioned above. The fundamental issue lies in the fact that, when formulating policies, women are frequently not given a vital role in the decision-making process. From my perspective as a civil servant, I have identified certain flaws in policy proposals that, regrettably, hinder our progress toward achieving gender equality.
Therefore, policies must adopt a more nuanced and comprehensive approach when addressing the category of ‘women.’ This approach ensures that recommended measures, when implemented, effectively assist those women who are genuinely affected by climate-related incidents. In numerous isolated regions, female illiteracy remains a pressing concern. Factors such as early marriages and childbearing contribute to the unemployment and financial dependence of these women on male family members.
Efforts to educate these women should not solely rely on traditional means such as distributing posters and flyers, as this demographic may struggle to comprehend such materials. Despite extensive programs distributing printed materials in rural areas, aimed at educating women on preparing for natural disasters, the effectiveness is limited. Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) may meet their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in terms of distribution, but women often remain uninformed. This is because written information is not only incomprehensible but may also be withheld by male partners in certain instances.
My initial suggestion involves dismantling the ‘cul-de-sac’ approach to manage women’s issues in relation to climate change. An evident illustration of this is the historical neglect of women in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) when assessing a country’s progress in climate-related matters. Although we currently celebrate the fact that 70% of NDCs now mandate the inclusion of women in their climate assessments, this falls short of aligning with my feminist perspective. The question arises: What should be the ideal percentage for women’s contribution to the breakdown assessment of all NDCs? Could it be 80% or even 100%? The focal point here is not merely adding another row in the NDCs document, soliciting information on women’s impact on government-initiated climate initiatives, but rather the rigorous enforcement of such inclusion. It prompts the inquiry into whether the right groups of women are being consulted during these assessments. It is imperative to scrutinise these details when nations submit their NDCs, as mere submission should not warrant unquestioning praise. Therefore, an urgent examination of NDCs is necessary, focusing on the factors affecting women and the objectives related to women in these initiatives. The heightened enforcement or the incorporation of ‘checks and balances’ by a nation’s government together with academia or civil society organisations can lead to more meaningful submissions, potentially safeguarding women’s lives in the process.
Additionally, my proposal may seem ambitious, yet it is opportune for climate discussions to centre around women. Importantly, this initiative should not be limited to commemorating Women’s Day but should instead be a regular occurrence, driven by the recognition that women’s voices are often marginalised in climate-related matters. To kick-start this effort, the ASEAN regional grouping could take the lead by organising the Climate for Women Conference, bringing together academics, indigenous peoples, politicians, civil society, and students to discuss the challenges and repercussions of certain climate initiatives on women and children. The primary objective of such a conference would be to present the findings or reports at upcoming COP meetings. This presentation could serve as a catalyst for refining existing climate measures and enhancing the responsiveness to the impact of climate change.
In summary, it is undeniably true that climate change is affecting humanity, and the sooner we respond with mitigation and adaptation measures, the greater the potential benefits for future generations. However, these actions must also consider the impact on women, as inequality remains prevalent, particularly in rural patriarchal societies in the global south. While we may be fortunate enough to comprehend and acknowledge these efforts, we must not overlook our sisters who are left to navigate these calamities on their own because, as urban women, we progressed too quickly without considering them. It is crucial to foster more individuals akin to young female climate activist Greta Thunberg in every village and province, recognising that women play a vital role in transmitting information and knowledge to the future generation. It is time for climate change to become a dialogue shared among mothers and daughters.