Introduction 

Climate change mainly affects women due to their role in the home as well as guardians of traditional knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices in their community. However, they are often excluded from decision-making and environmental protection related-actions. Ensuring the effective inclusion of women in fighting climate change and guaranteeing their active participation in environmental decisions and actions is crucial.  Hence, it is vital to analyse the barriers to their active participation and find solutions to enable them to contribute effectively to mitigate climate change.

Understanding barriers to including women in environmental decision-making

The obstacles to women’s inclusion are multiple and vary according to socio-economic, cultural and political contexts. Socio-economically, women often have limited access to financial and material resources, which limits their participation in environmental activities. They also have an extra workload related to house cores such as fetching water or providing food. Culturally, gender stereotypes often limit women’s participation in environment-related fields.  For example, women may be seen as less able to make important decisions. Politically, women are often under-represented in decision-making bodies because their access to education, information and technology is sometimes limited.

Actions to be taken to include women in fighting climate change

Including women in the fight against climate change requires an approach that takes account of the socio-economic, cultural and political dimensions. 

The first step is to involve all members of the community, particularly women and girls, in the design and implementation of sustainable environmental solutions.  Environmental policies should also include quotas for the participation of women in decision-making bodies. 

Secondly, a favorable environment must be created so that women can participate fully in environmental protection. This means guaranteeing women’s access to education, training, employment and financial resources. 

In addition, increasing access to resources and technologies can actively engage women in climate change solutions. To do this, it is important to provide them with the necessary resources and technologies.

Finally, conducting gender-sensitive assessments and impact studies on climate change helps to understand the differential impacts on women and men, and thus to integrate gender perspectives into climate-related policies and projects.

Conclusion

The environmental crisis is a global challenge that demands collective action.  By integrating a gender perspective into its resolution, it is possible to ensure that women and girls are fully involved in protecting our planet. In achieving this, it is essential to provide adequate education and awareness on environmental issues and gender equality.

Translated by Daouda Daou