The climate crisis is a collective problem, but its impacts do not fall equally. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, and their existing gender inequality is exacerbated by the crisis. The United Nations has found that when extreme weather devastates a community, gender-based violence increases, girls are pulled from school, and women and girls are forced from their homes, facing a higher risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, amplifying existing injustices. Women and girls already grapple with gender inequality, and the climate crisis worsens their situation. The UN Special Adviser on Climate Action and Just Transition, Selwin Hart, notes that women in poor and vulnerable countries are primarily affected, and current policies and strategies are not equipped to address this challenge.
To highlight the complex links between gender and climate change, CNN worked with seven women photojournalists who documented the challenges faced by women and girls in seven countries across the Global South. The project reveals the myriad ways the climate crisis is upending their lives, but also shows how they are fighting back.
In Nigeria, girls' education is under threat due to poverty, geography, and gender discrimination. Climate disasters make schools inaccessible, and girls are often forced to help their families or earn extra money, leading to a decline in their attendance. However, organizations like the Center for Girls' Education in Zaria are working to support girls' education and equip them with resources to cope with the impacts of extreme weather.
In Brazil, women in the Amazon Basin are fighting to protect their livelihoods and the forest. They are challenging large corporations that are tearing down the forest and restricting their access to native babassu palm trees, which they rely on for their income. This is not only a battle for their food security but also a fight for gender equality.
In the Philippines, human trafficking increases in the wake of climate disasters. Women and girls are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse, and organizations like the People's Recovery Empowerment Development Assistance (PREDA) Foundation are working to free them from brothels and sex traffickers and provide refuge for survivors.
In Pakistan, pregnant women are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, especially extreme heat. Heat waves lead to maternal health problems, including premature births, stillbirths, and low birth weights. Women in Sindh province are experiencing health issues, and organizations like the White Ribbon Alliance are calling for better financial support and access to solar panels to power fans.
In Guatemala, climate change is forcing people from their homes, and women are shouldering the greatest impact. Men migrate in search of jobs, leaving women with the double burden of protecting their homes and children and finding a way to make money until the men can send remittances. Nonprofits like the Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation are investing in women and girls in isolated communities, providing education and leadership training and teaching them skills like agroforestry.
In Bangladesh, child marriage is increasing due to the climate crisis. Girls are married off early to relieve financial strain, and organizations like Save the Children are working to end child marriage by 2030. However, a recent analysis found that almost 9 million girls worldwide face extreme risk of climate disasters and child marriage every year.
In Kenya, gender-based violence is increasing due to the climate crisis. Extreme weather triggers acute food insecurity and displacement, leading to stress, intimate partner violence, and sexual exploitation. Organizations like the Coalition on Violence Against Women are working to break the cycle of violence and protect women and girls from all forms of violence.
The climate crisis and gender inequality are intricately linked, and addressing one requires addressing the other. The stories of these women and girls are a testament to their resilience and survival in the face of adversity. It is crucial that we listen to their voices and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
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