GGCA Gender and Climate Change Training Manual - Women's ...

3.3 Gender equality, climate change and the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs): what is the link?
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Gender equality is the focus of the third MDG and a prerequisite to
fulfilment of all the MDGs (Kabeer, 2003). The manner in which climate change
magnifies existing gender inequalities will significantly hamper efforts to achieve
these goals. Developing countries are addressing swift environmental changes
that block progress on poverty reduction and sustainable development goals,
and gender inequality further entrenches these countries in poverty and
underdevelopment. In a similar manner, the MDGs are interdependent and
reinforce each other (see Table 2).
Climate change is a global security and human rights issue. It represents
a serious challenge to sustainable development, social justice, equity and
respect for human rights, also for future generations. Gender is a central factor
in the juxtaposition of these issues.
Table 2. Establishing the linkages between MDGs, climate change and gender
Millennium
Development Goals
Threats due to
climate change
Gender implications
MDG 1:
Eradicate extreme
poverty and hunger
Reduction of
agricultural
production for
survival and
commercial ends
Food security
at risk
Women make up the majority of the world’s poor – of
the 1.3 billion poor worldwide, 70% are women.
Loss or reduction of domestic species of plants and
animals used by women to ensure food security
of their families. Atmospheric brown clouds (ABC) due
to aerosol loads and greenhouse gas (GHG)
concentrations have reduced historical rice harvests
(Cramer, 2006). Rice is the major caloric intake of
developing countries. Women are already more
vulnerable to nutritional problems (for example, 50%
of the women and children in developing countries are
anaemic) due to physical, social, economic, gender and
cultural issues (e.g., pregnancy, lactation, inequitable
food distribution within families).
Reduction or extinction of marine species used by
women for household consumption or for productive
activities.
In some cases, the trade-offs between consumption
and survival can exacerbate gender bias in nutrition.
Research in India has found that girls’ nutrition suffers
most during periods of low consumption and rising food
prices, and that rainfall shortages are more strongly
associated with deaths among girls than boys (UNDP,
2007).