Women and young girls exposed to more vulnerabilities to the Climate Crisis than men

Women and young girls are exposed to more vulnerabilities to the Climate Crisis than men for a variety of factors which include social, economic and cultural. It is one of the greatest threats of the 21st Century.

Speaking about the issue, MLA Cara Hunter for SDLP said: "We know that climate change exacerbates almost every economic, social and political situation across the world. It acts as a threat multiplier. The issue of women's rights is no different in this regard.’’

The United Nations has previously stated ‘‘The effects of climate change will vary among regions and between different generations, income groups and occupations as well as between women and men.’’

‘‘Particularly for women and girls who menstruate, the ability to access products amid a crisis can be extremely difficult. It is crucial that the empowerment and protection of women is grounded in educational provision, and this is something which I, along with many others, are committed to engaging in.’’ Cara adds 

Councillor Rachel Woods, who was previously a MLA for North Down, spoke passionately about this issue in an amendment debate during the passage of the Northern Ireland Climate Change Act 2022.

Explained by Lesley Veronica, the Deputy Leader of Northern Ireland’s Green Party ‘‘In her (Rachel) contribution she stressed the importance of recognising that mitigations for climate change need to be gender proofed to ensure that the needs of women and men are met and to offset the potential for women to bear a greater burden particularly those experiencing poverty. This was agreed by the assembly’’.

Northern Ireland has an issue with protecting women and young girls to ensure their safety in different situations. Recognising the negative impacts, climate change should be a part of the conversation when speaking about women's health and safety. 

By definition, Climate Change is ‘changes in the earth's weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide.’

This great threat also further greatly impacts regions, generations, age, classes, income groups and gender.

Lesley said: ‘‘One essential part of this is to make sure that women’s voices are heard in the consultation and pre-planning stages. The proposal to integrate a gender perspective largely arose from stakeholder engagement with women’s groups who identified the need for more robust methods than the often used Equality Impact assessments to address different gender impacts of policies going forward’’

‘‘The Women’s Policy Group called for a feminist green new deal, a deal which would imbed the practice of considering the varying impacts on men and women and therefore be more likely to relieve imbalances and inequality’’ she adds. 

We must work harder to prioritise women and have them involved at every level of the planning process and within any existing opportunity. 

Lesley continues to explain: ‘‘We know that climate change is likely to increase pre existing structural and societal inequalities. We also know that company boards which are more gender diverse have better track records regarding reducing CO2 emissions. This points to a very real need to integrate gender perspectives in any climate change policies and to work harder to have women involved at every level of the planning process.’’

‘‘The biggest problem facing all of us now is the continued absence of an executive which is making it very difficult to progress with any of the much needed legislation in this and other areas. This summer has very clearly demonstrated that climate change is upon us. It is not something we are waiting for in the future we are now living it and the need to introduce relevant mitigations are urgent.’’ Lesley adds.

Cara Hunter is currently the SDLP’s MLA for East Derry, she speaks highly of the important projects being carried out in the Northwest and Derry areas. 

‘‘There have been some excellent council-led initiatives in the Northwest and Derry areas through producing reports such as the Building Local Resilience Report. There have also been some great steps taken through transport and commitments from Translink to have a fleet operating at net zero emissions by 2040.’

‘‘The most powerful way, however, for Northern Ireland and the areas here in the North Coast to tackle the climate crisis is through legislation. Not having the ability to legislate for crucial issues regarding climate change and a whole host of other areas in our public services is having disastrous consequences,’’ Cara concludes 

Northern Ireland became the last country in the UK to adopt a Climate Change Bill after it was passed on the 9th March 2022. England and Wales were among the first to take action when they passed their bill in November 2008 while Scotland passed their bill a year later in 2009.