It’s more than advocacy — women deserve greater representation in climate policy

I personally have experienced, seen and learned about instances of gender-based prejudice, and it’s fueled my passion for gender equality. Another passion of mine, which I typically write about, is the environment and climate change, and the movements and policies that follow them. Globally, these two issues frequently intersect, as women and girls face disproportionate effects due to climate change. 

Current climate policy isn’t working to successfully combat these effects — it’s insufficient in gender-specific awareness because it is historically governed by wealthy, white males. Worldwide, men also dominate positions of political power over women. For meaningful climate policy change to occur, women deserve greater representation in decision-making surrounding climate change. 

Women’s vulnerability to climate change stems from traditional gender roles, socioeconomic positions and overall systemic inequalities. Statistically, after natural disasters or extreme climate events, women and girls are 14 times more likely to die, and make up about 80% of all those displaced. In the wake of these events, gender-based violence also increases, as there are higher rates of sexual assault and violence during times of crisis. Additionally, they experience heightened challenges in access to reproductive and sexual health care during disasters, often leading to greater health risks. These threats are also elevated for women of Color, those who live in poverty or those residing in rural areas.

Historically, these impacts have inspired women and girls to speak up, and they often stand at the forefront of advocacy in the environmental and climate movements. Even as they face challenges gaining recognition due to gender stereotypes diminishing their authority, key moments like Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring or Greta Thunberg’s climate strike are examples of times when female climate activism gained global attention. 

Even with ample advocacy, women are underrepresented in executive government positions, local governments and national parliaments that deal with climate policy. Therefore, despite this strong advocacy, they are less involved in the high-level decision-making regarding the environment and climate change in comparison to men. But when male government leaders hold the reins in climate policy, it lacks a gender-based lens that can fix inequalities. Because of this, policy will be less equitable and effective for women and girls globally, and they will continue to deal with disproportionate climate impacts.

Greater representation in top government positions for women will lead to policy that comes from a place of awareness and attention to the gender-specific struggles of women and girls. Female government leaders advocate more against gender-based violence and in support of women’s health, meaning the disparities from extreme climate events and natural disasters would be properly addressed. 

And when it comes to overall climate action, women actually do it better. Countries with more women in parliament often ratify more environmental treaties, initiate stricter climate policies and invest more in education and health. It’s apparent that women need to be in government leadership, as it will not only help women across the world but also everyone else facing the wrath of climate change. 

Some argue that in a world where people and governments constantly disagree on climate change, any government action, no matter who initiates it, is a win. However, this viewpoint doesn’t take into account who exactly is in leadership as long as these passable climate policies are in motion. Any climate action is indeed better than none, but these general climate policies won’t help women and girls around the world because they aren’t designed by women in leadership nor analyzed through an appropriate perspective specific to their conditions. 

There needs to be a demand for gender-responsive climate action. This means climate change policy that recognizes and respects what women experience and works to protect their unique risks, like gender-based violence. Gender-based policies will promote gender equality by targeting the exact problems women face, developing efficient and sustainable solutions. 

According to a research summary, after the Gender Action Plan, a United Nations initiative of gender-responsive climate action, there was improved recognition of gender-based climate effects followed by subsequent policy because of greater female representation and, even more so, increasing leadership positions for women. This proves that putting women in influential leadership positions will tailor policy to respond to global gender-based climate struggles. Governments across the world should take note, and not only amplify women’s climate advocacy, but also work to elect and appoint them into vital leadership positions in climate.

The truth is that right now, women and girls don’t have equal — or even sufficient — representation in government and decision-making. But women are capable and deserving of a seat at the table of climate policy, and it is unjust of society to consistently leave them out. They’ve proven their motivation and success when it comes to climate change and policy — and it’s clear that there is an ever-present need to address climate hardships based on gender. 

So, as climate change worsens, I suggest that it’s time to see what women can do about it.  

Emma Margaron is an Opinion Columnist from Holland, Michigan who writes about science, the environment and justice in her column “Environment Everywhere.” She can be reached at margaron@umich.edu.