When I was approached by the Climate Asia conference organising team to host a panel discussion that would explore inextricable intersections of gender equity and climate action; it seemed like a mammoth task to undertake, and an unnerving one.
Gender equity and climate action are each a universe of so many dimensions – with diverse perspectives that encompass various theories, worldviews of practice spanning natural sciences to social sciences and behavioural change, national policy to geopolitics! How does one unpeel so many layers to deliver an effective conversation aimed at awareness, sparking dialogue and a call to action all in the span of one hour? Where does one even begin?
They say when in doubt, go back to the basics (or to the library!) and my team and I did both. As EquiLead, our priorities are to support, spotlight and build facilitative communities of and for women who are poised for or are doing inspiring work in positions of leadership in institutions driving social impact. Additionally, we aiAll this because - we believe that there is a significant positive correlation between creating equity in leadership and decision making, and effectiveness of social impact work meeting its desired outcomes. All this because – there are significant barriers and gaps at individual, institutional and systemic levels that hinder this gender integration and stagger women from thriving in leadership. All this because – it just belies logic to exclude a significant proportion of the population and with them critical perspective and acumen, that can make solutions to a challenge more real, realistic and relatable.
The reality isn’t much different when applied to the context of climate action work.
As the world reels from the impact of climate change, research indicates that women and children bear a more disproportionate brunt of it. By 2050, climate change may push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty and see 236 million more face food insecurity. This is further compounded by women’s unequal participation in decision-making processes and labour markets which lead to women being prevented from fully contributing to climate-related planning, policy-making and implementation.
Contextualised in the above, was the phenomenal panel discussion that ensued on April 19th on Climate Action is at Crossroads: Why Does it Need a Feminist Approach? which came alive thanks to the presence and perspectives of three brilliant thought leaders, Uthara Narayanan, Co-founder, Buzz Women, Neha Saigal, Director- Gender and Climate Change, Asar Social Impact Advisors and Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zomato. m to facilitate gender integrated policy, perspective, process and practice in workplaces where women can lead with equity.
As the audience was expected to be a mix of practitioners, academicians, researchers, students and some new entrants keen to venture into the space of climate action in development work; the panel discussion was crafted as a dialogue that facilitated gradual immersion into this theme.
On the importance of current solutions in climate action needing to adequately understand, document and consider lived realities of communities affected - in need assessment, intervention strategy, implementation and impact measurement
Neha highlighted that the framing of the problem in climate action work, often is articulated as a divide between humanity and the ecosystem. This perspective, influenced by Western and masculine-oriented discourse, tends to focus on natural sciences and technology while neglecting the social context and the disproportionate impact on different groups. Neha noted that the Global North and Global South face distinct climate-related challenges, with marginalised populations bearing a greater burden. Yet, current solutions often fail to address these specific vulnerabilities, leading to unequal outcomes.
Further, Neha stressed the importance of a feminist perspective to tackle these systemic issues and address the unequal impacts. “Climate change doesn't cause gender disparities but exacerbates them, adding a political dimension to the crisis. Effective solutions should come from everyday practices and government policies, acknowledging that grassroots communities, being most affected, have unique insights into climate change. Including them in decision-making is key to developing effective and equitable climate action strategies,” she said.
On effective grassroot strategies that are designed to ensure women are included in adaptation, mitigation and resilience building efforts against climate change, while also equipping them towards sustainable livelihoods.
Uthara spoke about gender inequities that continue to persist at the grassroots impacting women – their livelihoods, nutrition, health etc and also reiterated that it was important to include women as part of the solution as they deal with climate change effects everyday and more directly.
“In marginalised communities, there's often a lack of awareness and understanding of the links between cause and effect. The initial step to address this is to challenge assumptions and question established norms, “ she added. Uthara further highlighted,“Resource shortages disproportionately affect women, while men often leave to seek better opportunities due to their higher education levels. Women are also excluded from agricultural decisions, reinforcing a masculine outlook on problem-solving.”
She spoke about Buzz Women’s approach built on the foundation of the 5 Cs - Cash, Care, Climate, Community, and Confidence.
- Raising Awareness: Women in marginalised communities often experience the effects of climate change without understanding the cause. We educate them about the direct impact on their daily lives, from food shortages to water scarcity, ensuring they can actively engage in solutions.
- Promoting Sustainable Practices: We encourage practical changes like using reusable bags for shopping and repurposing grey water for backyard gardens. Kitchen gardens, typically led by women, help reduce household expenses while promoting food security.
- Empowering Women as Leaders: By creating "bee hives" of women sharing knowledge and supporting each other, we foster community-wide resilience. These collectives are crucial for driving collective action and implementing grassroots strategies.
- Addressing Health and Economic Opportunities: Women are often the last to eat when food is scarce, and they walk long distances to fetch water. We work to alleviate these burdens and offer economic opportunities, such as promoting kitchen gardens and sustainable health practices.
- Including Women in Decision-Making: Women are frequently excluded from agricultural decisions, leading to a masculine perspective on problem-solving. We work to change this by ensuring women have a seat at the table.
The role of the private sector in innovating and institutionalising equity and inclusion as a business priority – Zomato’s approach on designing for inclusion with a focus on women and their participation within the discourse of sustainability; as well the role of technology in enabling this.
Anjalli shared about Zomato’s efforts to make the food delivery ecosystem more inclusive and sustainable, and thereby create better food experiences for more people while promoting sustainability.
“Zomato is building an ecosystem that encourages food entrepreneurship, particularly for women. Many of the best chefs are at home, and Zomato's platform offers them an opportunity to enter the catering industry. By providing resources and support, Zomato empowers women to turn their culinary skills into thriving businesses,” shared Anjalli.
Involving women in the value chain, on the warehousing floor etc is also helping address critical issues like food waste which is a huge area of concern and priority for Zomato’s business and sustainability approaches. “We have observed that women tend to be more sensitive to issues like food waste, which has strong ties to climate change. Zomato promotes sustainability by encouraging women-led initiatives that reduce food waste. This focus aligns with Zomato's broader sustainability goals, making it a win-win for business and the environment.” She also spoke about how using monitoring and evaluation data around involving women to work on the floor – e.g. management of perishable food like vegetables and fruits was found to have improved leading to them staying fresher for longer duration, with more women joining the workforce. This, once shared with managers who are predominantly male and had previously held reservations about the presence of women on the floor owing to safety and adjustment concerns, led to a shift in their outlook and break down of their bias.
Anjalli also spoke about bringing gender parity in the workforce, involving women in professionals considered to be conventionally masculine; and thereby improving women’s livelihoods. With this, the company is also challenging gender stereotypes in delivery which is often viewed as a man's job, by encouraging more women to join the gig economy as delivery partners.
Additionally, Zomato has also committed to EV-based deliveries by 2030, a move that supports sustainability and enhances inclusion. “Access to bikes and scooters is critical, and the push towards EVs makes the delivery fleet more accessible to women. EVs are generally easier to ride and maintain, offering women a smoother entry into the delivery ecosystem. Zomato is also exploring roles in EV maintenance and recycling, areas that can offer sustainable career paths for women. By encouraging participation in these sectors, Zomato is not only promoting sustainability but also fostering an inclusive work environment,” Anjalli added.
The panel closed befittingly on a discussion differentiating between gender and feminist perspectives and on the need for embedding these into climate action work.
Panellists shared that while the gender perspective looks at the roles and dynamics between different genders in society, focusing on achieving balance and equity. A feminist perspective, however, goes beyond this to address systemic inequalities, advocate for structural changes, and challenge traditional power hierarchies.
In the context of climate change and women's leadership, feminism takes a broader approach to addressing challenges. It recognises that some communities, particularly those led by women or with high female participation, have unique issues requiring tailored solutions. However, feminism doesn't put the responsibility for climate solutions solely on women. Instead, it embraces a holistic approach that encourages inclusive decision-making and acknowledges the role women play in driving sustainable change.
An important aspect of the feminist approach is that it's not just about women—it involves engaging men as well. For example, even with government subsidies, LPG cylinders for cooking can be unaffordable for many households. To address this, it's crucial to include husbands and other male family members in household financial decisions. This approach encourages a shift in behavior, helping to change the perception that cooking is solely a woman's responsibility.
The panel was an encouraging testimony to EquiLead’s aspiration in building a bridge between dialogue to action for accelerating climate action - we were able to converge diverse perspectives intersecting gender and climate across grassroots work, private sector and feminist research and insights - represented by stellar women who have traversed remarkable leadership journeys to pave pathways for others who can follow suit.
