Gender and the Environment | Why should every environmentalist be a feminist?

Feminism and the environment are closely linked. Without gender equality we cannot solve many of the environmental issues we're facing today. Don't just take my word for it - the United Nations themselves have listed it as one of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Feminism is “an organized effort to give women the same economic, social, and political rights as men.” These fundamental human rights are also tied up with environmental justice.

How is gender and the environment linked?

Agriculture

Nearly 50% of the global population are women, and compromise 43% of the agricultural sector in developing countries. Better, sustainable agricultural practices can help prevent the negative effects of climate change. Their numbers in the workforce can have a huge impact on mitigating climate change effects.

Education

Education is the most important tool to alleviating poverty levels. Decreasing poverty helps reduce population growth, due to better family planning, which in turn helps the planet.

Conservation

Studies have found that community management of natural resources has a better effect when women are at the forefront. For example, in India forest conservation was improved when women were involved in the decision-making process. Women are key stakeholders in conservation.

Political Representation

Considering women represent nearly 50% of the population, how it it that in 2020 women hold only 25% of seats in national parliaments? Yet, those countries who have a higher proportion of women in their parliaments are more likely to ratify environmental treaties. Bridging the gap between men and women in positions of power can help increase environmental protections.

It is clear that women can have a crucial impact in reducing the effects of climate change. We need feminism to achieve this. By putting gender equality at the centre of environmental policies we can ensure a healthy, safe planet for future generations.

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