The Critical Role of Women in Environmental Conservation
The climate crisis is affecting communities worldwide, but its impacts are not felt equally. Women and girls often bear the brunt of climate change, particularly in rural areas where they are responsible for securing essential resources like food, water, and firewood for their families. As drought, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events become more common, these tasks become increasingly challenging, exposing women and girls to additional risks and burdens.
Yet, despite their disproportionate vulnerability, women are also uniquely positioned to be agents of change in the fight against climate change. As the UN notes, “women are responsible for half of the world’s food production” and in developing countries, “they produce even up to 80 per cent of food.” This deep connection to the land and natural resources gives women invaluable knowledge and skills in sustainable resource management, which can be leveraged to promote environmental conservation and climate change adaptation.
“Women are responsible for half of the world’s food production. In developing countries, they produce even up to 80 per cent of food.”
Indigenous women, in particular, have been at the forefront of environmental conservation efforts, drawing on their ancestral knowledge and practices to build community resilience in the face of a changing climate. From preserving crop biodiversity and seed varieties to protecting pollinators and using natural soil building techniques, these women are leading the way in sustainable land and resource management.
Empowering Women in Community Water Management
One critical area where women’s leadership is crucial is in community water management. As the primary caretakers responsible for securing water for their households, women have a deep understanding of local water resources and the challenges posed by water scarcity and contamination. This knowledge, combined with their commitment to the well-being of their families and communities, makes women powerful agents of change in improving water access, quality, and sustainability.
The UN Joint SDG Fund has highlighted the importance of empowering women as agents of change in community water management. In a recent article, the Fund emphasized how women’s “unique perspectives, knowledge, and skills” are “essential for achieving a sustainable future” in water and sanitation services.
“Women are not just key stakeholders in environmental conservation, but also agents of change. They bring unique perspectives, knowledge, and skills to conservation efforts, and their contributions are essential for achieving a sustainable future.”
One example of this can be seen in the Green Climate Fund’s $33.2 million project to build climate resilience in Jordan through better water management practices. This project, which targets the Dead Sea Basin, a region particularly vulnerable to climate change and water stress, aims to empower women as “agents of change for climate change adaptation.”
The project recognizes that in rural Jordan, women are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to unequal access to resources, decision-making processes, and mobility. By addressing these challenges and enhancing women’s access to resources, services, and information, the project seeks to enable women to adapt to climate change and protect their livelihoods.
Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Water Management
The Jordan project is taking a multi-faceted approach to sustainable water management, integrating various innovative solutions that can be replicated in other water-stressed regions.
One key focus is on promoting water-saving technologies and practices at the household level. This includes initiatives like harvesting rooftop rainwater, using water-saving domestic devices, and utilizing reclaimed water for irrigation and other purposes. By empowering households, particularly women, to adopt these water-efficient measures, the project aims to improve overall water security and resilience.
Another important aspect of the project is the provision of tailored extension services and training programs for both men and women. These efforts focus on communicating climate adaptation measures, weather forecasts, and other critical information to help farming communities and households become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Notably, the project also emphasizes the need to mainstream gender-sensitive water management practices into national policies, educational frameworks, and local administrative, economic, and social structures. This comprehensive approach ensures that women’s voices and perspectives are not only heard but also integrated into the decision-making processes that shape water resource management.
The Multiplier Effect of Women’s Empowerment
The benefits of empowering women as agents of change in community water management extend far beyond the immediate improvements in water access and quality. By investing in women’s leadership and capacity-building, these initiatives can unlock a multiplier effect that amplifies their impact on environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.
As the UN’s climate change resource highlights, women play a crucial role in driving behavior change and consumer attitudes, which can have a cascading effect across sectors. When women are empowered to make sustainable choices, such as recycling, minimizing waste, and adopting eco-friendly products, they can drive broader shifts in societal attitudes and market demand.
“In wealthier societies, women drive 70-80 per cent of all consumer purchasing decisions, leading the transition to more sustainable lifestyles. Women are more likely to recycle, minimize waste, buy organic food and eco-labeled products, and save water and energy in the household. By leading behavior change and consumer attitudes, women can drive change across sectors.”
At the political and business levels, research also shows clear linkages between women’s leadership and action to tackle climate change. Countries with higher proportions of women in parliament are more likely to ratify international environmental treaties and have stricter climate policies. Similarly, gender-diverse firms tend to have better environmental reporting, climate governance, and investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
By supporting women’s active participation in decision-making, water management initiatives can unlock these multiplier effects, fostering a more sustainable future that benefits entire communities.
Collaborative Approaches to Community Water Management
Effective community water management requires a collaborative approach that brings together a range of stakeholders, including women, men, community leaders, government agencies, and civil society organizations. This multi-stakeholder engagement ensures that the diverse needs, perspectives, and knowledge of the community are taken into account, leading to more inclusive and sustainable solutions.
One successful example of this collaborative approach can be seen in the work of women-led farming cooperatives in Kenya. These cooperatives have used sustainable agriculture practices, such as agroforestry and permaculture, to improve soil health, crop yields, and food security, while also promoting the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources. By working closely with their communities, these women-led initiatives have been able to leverage local knowledge and empower others to adopt more sustainable practices.
“Women-led farming cooperatives in Kenya have used sustainable agriculture practices to improve soil health and crop yields, while also promoting the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources.”
Similarly, the Jordan project’s implementation approach involves partnering with a range of stakeholders, including relevant ministries, public and private institutions, NGOs, and community members. This collaboration ensures that the project’s activities are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of the target communities, and that women’s voices and perspectives are meaningfully integrated into the decision-making process.
By fostering these collaborative partnerships, community water management initiatives can create synergies, amplify their impact, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their efforts.
Conclusion: Unlocking the Potential of Women as Agents of Change
As the world faces the mounting challenges of climate change and water scarcity, the vital role of women as agents of change in community water management cannot be overstated. By empowering women to leverage their unique knowledge, skills, and commitment to their communities, we can unlock transformative solutions that not only improve water access and quality but also drive broader environmental conservation efforts and climate change adaptation.
The examples showcased in this article demonstrate the immense potential of women-led initiatives in sustainable water management, from innovative household-level technologies to collaborative, multi-stakeholder approaches. By replicating and scaling up these successful models, we can create a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
The time to act is now. By investing in women as leaders and change-makers in community water management, we can harness the power of their collective voice and action to build resilient, water-secure communities that are better equipped to face the challenges of the climate crisis. Join us at https://jointactionforwater.org/ as we work together to empower women and drive transformative change in water and sanitation services worldwide.
