Invest in women for climate action
AWOMAN is present in every small unit of our society.
We celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024 with the theme: “Invest in women, accelerate progress.”
The impact of climate change on gender is not the same. Women are often considered as the most vulnerable in times of disaster because they represent the majority of the poor and are proportionally more dependent on threatened natural resources. Another reason is because of their various roles such as taking care of children before, during and after a disaster event, and other household welfare.
UN Women reported in December 2023 that “by 2050, climate change may push up to 158 million women and girls into poverty and see 236 million more face food security.”
Investing in women to accelerate climate action is not only a matter of gender equality but also a strategic imperative in the fight against climate change. Women play multifaceted roles as agents of change, innovators and leaders in climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience-building efforts.
Empowering women enhances the effectiveness of climate interventions. Investing in their education, access to resources and decision-making power strengthens their ability to adapt to climate impacts and implement sustainable practices.
Women contribute unique perspectives and solutions to climate challenges. Their knowledge of local ecosystems, traditional practices and community dynamics enriches climate action strategies, leading to more contextually appropriate and culturally sensitive initiatives. By engaging women as equal partners in decision-making processes, diverse perspectives are integrated, resulting in more holistic and effective climate solutions.
Investing in women yields significant economic and social cobenefits. They should have financial independence and confidence to generate their own income. Studies indicate that women are economically empowered and invest a higher proportion of their income in their families’ wellbeing, including education, health care and nutrition.
Women who want to be entrepreneurs should be empowered to make use of their skills and talents by providing them with viable income alternatives, training and opportunities for startups. This not only strengthens community resilience but also contributes to poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
Green economy shift
We can also integrate women’s participation in our aim to shift to a green economy. We have to support the promotion of women’s employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that are aligned with sustainability, resilience and the other principles of a circular economy.
Advancing gender equality in climate action fosters long-term sustainability and resilience. Women should be provided the needed support to have the confidence and resources to lead and be at the forefront of efforts to improve Filipino communities. They must be encouraged to pursue initiatives that will contribute decisive actions toward the nation’s sustainable and equitable progress.
By promoting women’s leadership and participation in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and conservation, our society can harness untapped talent and creativity to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
We have to strengthen women’s economic rights and invest in them toward a more resilient economy. We could attain a greener, cleaner and more sustainable development trajectory in the near future if we make women part of the solution.
As we pursue the pathway that will bring the economy to greater heights, we cannot deny the fact that the role of women in our society has continuously evolved along with the progress we have achieved.
Empowering women is not merely providing privileges to the other half of the population, but more importantly, it boosts our chances of realizing our goals toward sustainable development, inclusive growth and improving the lives of our people.
The Philippines is the most gender-equal country in Asia — it ranks 16th place among 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index Report 2023. Yet, we must continue to provide them more opportunities in education, the workplace, rural development, and governance and leadership roles. We must also give equal importance to providing women better access and control over resources that they need to be empowered economically.
Investing in women is not only a matter of social justice but also a strategic imperative for advancing climate action. By recognizing and leveraging their unique contributions, stakeholders can unlock new opportunities for innovation, collaboration and inclusive development. Ultimately, all this will accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
The author is the executive director of the Young Environmental Forum and a nonresident fellow of Stratbase ADR Institute. He completed his climate change and development course at the University of East Anglia (United Kingdom) and an executive program on sustainability leadership at Yale University (USA). Email him at ludwig.federigan@gmail.com.