United Nations International Women’s Day 2022: Gendered Impacts of Sustainability
March 8th is International Women’s Day (IWD2022). This year’s theme from the United Nations (UN) Women is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” Gender equality and sustainability are important regarding tackling the current global climate crisis.
In 2021, Canada alone experienced a multitude of extreme weather-related events. On December 21st, 2021 the Government of Canada released an article of the top 10 weather events of 2021, showcasing that the frequency of extreme weather events are increasing in Canada. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “Extreme weather events such as droughts and floods have a greater impact on the poor and most vulnerable – 70% of the world’s poor are women.” (n.d.).
Globally it is expected that more of these extreme weather events will occur. You can check out this map by Carbon Brief that maps global weather events with studies to determine if they were affected by human influence.
The current climate crisis puts gender equality at risk, as studies have shown that women’s lives are disproportionately affected more than men when natural disasters, climate emergencies, and disruptive events occur; “Across the world, women depend more on, yet have less access to, natural resources, and often bear a disproportionate responsibility for securing food, water, and fuel.” (UN Women, March 1st, 2022)
International Women’s Day this year is focusing on #breakthebias. Gender equality aims to promote equitable treatment of all genders and celebrates diversity and inclusion. It is important for all facets of society to work to close gender gaps and create more equitable environments where everyone thrives.
Regarding sustainability, it is important to highlight women, female-identifying, or non-binary individuals who are leading the way and helping fight the climate crisis by promoting sustainability in all forms as leaders in their community. Why? According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Women in STEM “make up only 28% of the workforce” and according to the IUCN (January 23, 2020), women face other significant barriers, resulting in a gender gap in sustainability and ecosystem management. Representation is important to #breakthebias and innovates industries. Gender gaps hinder inclusive and equitable policymaking. It is important to highlight leaders in the community and around the world to show others that it is possible to break the bias and have an impact!
On November 9, 2021 Corporate Knights released their top 30 under 30 regarding sustainability leaders in 2021. There are plenty of amazing stories from these sustainability leaders that are promoting green, equitable initiatives across a variety of sectors, and breaking bias in their fields.
Both Chatelaine (June 7, 2019) and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Ottawa Valley Chapter (n.d.) have inspiring lists of Canadian women involved in sustainability and protecting the environment; you can check out their stories here and here respectively.
Here are some local (London, Ontario), sustainable, business community leaders to check out:
Have an idea for your own sustainable, equitable business? You can check out the following grant resource list written by Maurice (2021) from Ontario Business Grants to apply for funding to get started today! Or maybe you want to make your current business more sustainable? Check out Green Economy London!
Gender equality, innovation, and sustainability are just some ways society can tackle the behemoth that is the current climate crisis. Do you know of any equitable sustainable businesses that you would want to share with us, or people in the community that embody #breakthebias?