While we continue to see traditional gender stereotypes reflected in decision-making around disaster relief and recovery planning, women’s voices and contributions are constrained, further contributing to marginalisation of women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.
It is important that we recognise the strengths, resilience, and skills of women in disaster planning and recovery and challenge misconceptions that they are passive, uninvolved and more suited to nurturing and caregiving during disaster recovery. Women are fundamental to keeping our communities safe and functioning.
In times of disaster rigid gender stereotypes and gendered expectations can become even stronger, rather than everyone working from the same equally respected place. The expectations that men should be more powerful, be in control, and be the final decision-maker creates a harmful stereotype for all genders. During times of disaster some men may assert more dominance and control over their partners and children, increasing the risk that they will perpetrate violence against women and girls. Increases in gender-based violence in the aftermath of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic have been well-documented globally.
Alongside this, the demands on women – caring for children and the elderly, looking out for community members, volunteering, and increased workloads – are excessive and increase the stress on individuals, families, and communities. Lack of services and difficulty in accessing services because of childcare and transport restraints can further endanger and isolate women.
Regional communities are impacted in unique ways by extreme weather events like heatwaves, bush fires and flooding. These conditions negatively affect our communities in terms of farming, economic security, transport, access to services and social connectedness, and have a unique impact on women in terms of mental health load and unpaid care responsibilities. Whilst climate change affects everyone, women’s voices are rarely heard when it comes to community conversations regarding climate change preparedness and planning.
Recognising both the challenges and strengths that migrant women hold in adapting to life in a new country, WHLM developed a project that centres migrant women’s voices and lived experiences and highlights their strengths in adapting to climate change.
In this short film we talk to three young women each living in different parts of our region. The video aims to spark discussions about climate change with the young women in your lives – in your home, workplace and in the community.
As one of the most pressing issues of our time, more and more young women are engaging in the issues that are going to affect them more than any other previous generation, and more than their peers. The youth’s catch cry throughout the video, “Ask Us”, is a plea echoed by many young women in the region who are eager to be heard when it comes to the effects of climate change.
Take a look at our collection of resources to find research, reports, submissions and more around Women in a Changing Society.
