Harnessing Resilience: Women, Climate Change, and India's Response

The Indian government, in a statement to the Lok Sabha, highlighted how climate change disproportionately increases the workload and vulnerability of rural women. Noting the impact on key sectors like agriculture, it outlined initiatives aimed at reducing risks and enhancing women's resilience.

In a statement to the Lok Sabha, the Indian government underscored the disproportionate impact of climate change on rural women, outlining how their workloads and vulnerabilities are increasing. This was articulated through a written reply by the environment ministry referencing India's Third National Communication to the UN climate body in 2023.

The government pointed out the challenges women face due to unpredictable weather patterns, which threaten agricultural yield—often their principal source of income and sustenance. Environment Minister of State, Kirti Vardhan Singh, emphasized the precarious situation women face with harvest losses, particularly in sectors traditionally linked to them, such as paddy cultivation, cotton and tea plantations, and fishing.

The government highlighted several initiatives targeting this issue, including the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health and other schemes like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission. These efforts aim to mitigate women's exposure to climate risks, enhance their adaptive capacities, and ultimately strengthen their resilience against the evolving climate landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)