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In September 2019, demonstrators protested against the climate crisis in Cali (Colombia). EFE/ Ernesto Guzman Jr.
The greatest threat to the promotion and guarantee of human rights at the international level is climate change. Its ability to increase, accelerate, or exacerbate pre-existing inequalities is what makes it the most dangerous. There is little information about the impact of climate change on the formation of insecurity, violence, mistreatment, and violence of women and girls, particularly rural, Black and Raizal women and girls.Who mainly resides in the most affected areasby the effects on climate change and environmental degrading.
Gender-based violence (GBV), which includes sexual, domestic and verbal violence, intimidation, harassment and abuse, economic deprivation and forced sex, is a prevalent and persistent problem. Climate change can directly cause GBV for many women and girls. This is due to thedisproportionate impact of climate emergencies on communities where women have been historically neglected, dispossessed, marginalized, and in poverty.
This risk is made worse by the difficulties that marginalized communities face in adapting to or recovering from their losses due to limitations in their access to productive economic and economic resources. This increases vulnerability to all types abuse.
One example of such a scenario is the recurrent emergence illegal economies after climatic changes. Due to the high dependence of girls and women on carework and their limited access economic resources to adapt for uncertain scenarios, poor women are forced to go to clandestine markets. Many of these markets have very high environmental costs. Examples of these markets include deforestation and illicit crops, wildlife trafficking, illegal mining, and other forms of illegal mining.
This risk is compounded by the obstacles that marginalized communities face to adapt or recover due to limitations in access to productive and economic means for their subsistence, which generates more vulnerability to all types of abuse.
This can also create negative feedback loops, as these activities can lead to climate changes and illicit transactional patterns like slavery, forced labor, and the emergence of sex-trafficking networks.
Colombian illegal logging and mining are rampant in Guaviare.These have led toThe involuntary relocation of poor Indigenous women and girls to urban settlements, and an increase in cases sexual exploitation. According to Pedraza Bravo‘s research, both the Nukak Makú Indigenous community and the Jiw, who have traditionally fed on wild animals, end up migrating to urban centers due to the impossibility of accessing food or forms of economic sustenance. This scenario sees Indigenous women and girls being recruited by forced prostitution networks, and they are the ones who end up paying most.
Displacement and climate migration are also problems thatdisproportionately affect women. Discriminatory gender norms limit their access to private property, land ownership, and results in difficulties in their accessing financial services.
GBV can be used to reinforce privileges and control natural resources, which are not available to women in these cases.ResearchIt has been found that women have been intimidated by physical and sexual exploitation to prevent them from claiming land or participating in land reclamation and other reallocation activities.
There is enough research to conclude that GBV discourages female participation in protection initiatives, sustainable resource management, consolidation of climate resilient communities, and other activities.
Climate disasters can also disrupt women’s access to essential services, such as education, sexual and reproductive health care, social protection, and responses against gender-based violence. This is further exacerbated by repeated appeals to climate refugee camps for overcrowded and unsecure conditions, which can further expose girls and women to GBV.
Their roles as caregivers can create additional climate-related challenges for girls and women. Women and girls are often responsible to ensure food security for their families in adverse climate situations, such as prolonged droughts, more intense rains, and higher or lower temperatures. ThisThey are also more vulnerable.They are more likely to be subject to sexual, physical, or psychological aggression and to drop out of school. This situation can lead to increased tension between gender roles and an increase in power imbalances.
GBV violates the most basic rights and stifles any attempt to advance sustainable development. These implications go beyond just physical and mental well being. They prevent women from assuming leadership roles and participating in decision-making. GBV risk factors include stress and trauma.Stunningly increaseAfter natural disasters and prolonged climate stress scenarios, women’s abilities to reincorporate into productive societies can be negatively affected and their ability to exercise their rights to exercise their rights.Economic and political rights
Likewise, GBV prevents its victims and survivors from exercising their economic and political rights, which limits their access to education and work, increases barriers to obtain justice, and reinforces a culture of impunity. It is important to remember that GBV is often ignored due to cultural and institutional factors, such as shame, stigmatization, lack of services and guarantees for victims, and a lack of support.
It is crucial to direct governments at the international level to reduce risk and pay attention to climate-related disasters. It is also important to recognize that building climate-resilient communities will require human rights-based, gender sensitive approaches that include mechanisms to prevent GBV.
This dimension is often overlooked, which can lead to a vicious cycle that weakens the effectiveness of any intervention related to biodiversity conservation or peacebuilding. It is important to recognize that gender equality, the elimination of all forms violence against women, as well as the fight against climate change, are mutually reinforcing needs. It is a missed chance to do so.
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