A recent SPARK study undertaken in Washim District in Maharashtra State, India, analysed the impact of the climate crisis on women with disabilities.
The study examines the issue from multiple angles, highlighting the role of women with disabilities in averting the climate crisis, and presenting steps and recommendations.
A total of 116 respondents from 10 villages in Washim district participated in the study, including government representatives and 65 women and 22 men with different types of disabilities.
Differences in gender, social status, income, ethnicity, natural resource base, and religion, among others, all lead to intersecting levels of discrimination and affect peopleās ability to adapt. This underlying context is an important aspect to understand and work with.Ā
Findings show that women and girls with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis in Maharashtra. The interplay of ableism and sexism leaves women with disabilities insufficiently supported by existing social and communal programs and resources, including initiatives meant to combat the effects of the climate crisis. Women with disabilities must be actively and effectively included at all levels: in positions of decision-making, to co-design and -develop solutions and services to promote the inclusion of intersecting identities.
In Maharashtraās Washim District, climate change has brought about both extreme and unseasonal weather patterns. Four weather hazards have been identified as the most prevalent in the region: excessive rainfall, dry days during monsoons, hailstorms, and heat waves. These abnormal conditions cause a myriad of problems, including lack of potable water, water and food scarcity, poor nutrition and health, and decreased access to housing and basic healthcare services.
Agriculture has been badly affected, and crop and dairy yields have dropped due to climate crisis effects, including unseasonal weather conditions, as well as the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Multiple long-term stresses on natural resources ā such as soil erosion, salinization of irrigated lands, degradation of pastures, water pollution, and over-exploitation of forest stocks ā contribute to low resilience in farming systems. Most agricultural production is concentrated in rural areas and engages marginalised communities, among which low and no-income and food insecurity are prevalent ā despite being at the centre of food production. Women with disabilities experience the above consequences more severely than other community members.Ā
On top of their disproportionate exposure to the negative effects of the climate crisis, women with disabilities are routinely excluded from leadership positions. Social and attitudinal barriersāincluding stigmas and taboos, adherence to sexist and ableist beliefs, and observance of traditional gender rolesādiscriminate against and thus exclude women from contributing to the development of social programs. Yet, many women who participated in the study state that with training and encouragement from their communities, there are various avenues for their participation in combating climate change.Ā
Women with disabilities lack opportunities, not capabilities. They have been habitually denied tools and support. Support, training, and education of women with disabilities ā at both community and governmental levels ā would allow them to more effectively and confidently take charge and contribute to the mitigation of the climate crisis in their communities.
Many of the women interviewed for the study expressed frustration with this reality and suggested ways to integrate women with disabilities into environmental and community protection initiatives. Opportunities and recommendations for engagement were defined:
- Participation in decision-making in all spheres of the household and agricultural production, for example, inclusion in deciding which crops to grow
- Better control over resources, such as land and housing
- Accessible early warning systems for weather hazards
- Training and access to organic and natural farming
- Alternate employment opportunities to mitigate drops in yieldĀ
- Access to and inclusion in government projects and services, self-help groups, NGO interventions, and organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs)
- Targeted training and education
- Financial inclusion, including access to loansĀ
- Ā Addressing societal and attitudinal barriers
To mitigate the effects of the climate crisis a whole of society approach is needed ā women must be equipped with tools of resilience and empowerment. Systemic and policy provisions must be made more robust, and responses from the government and other stakeholders should be substantive and inclusive to support women with disabilities to face the climate crisis effectively.
Want to read more learnings from SPARK? Check out theĀ key insights from out learning event here.
