Little do we know: Gender through the green lens
December 16, 2024 42 Views
Once upon a time, a dream came true out of need: a dream of a green land; green jobs, sustainability, and full inclusivity. However, when you get to sleep at night, do you always end up having perfect dreams? You guessed it, that's an untraveled path. Inclusivity for women is a real-life nightmare, imagine fighting in all decades to find your place among every new wage that the world witnesses. That has been the case for women, even when it comes to one of the most positive transformations globally; the green job era.
With utmost admission of the constructive impact of the progressive transition from fossil fuels jobs to low-carbon jobs, we can all agree that, in combating climate change, green jobs are critical to assure sustainable development across the planet, environmentally, economically, and socially.
Therefore, the promise of sustainability is kept safe. However, the promise of inclusivity is not. Green jobs are often perceived as inclusive, but the truth illustrates a situation where gender inequalities persist. It unveils the absence of women in the green jobs field and their limited contribution to a male-dominated green workforce; women who work in advanced economies only made it to 6% in holding green sectors, a fever dream that has to vanish.
In such a vital sector for the global economy, why is “more than a half of the world” so greatly underrepresented?
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the quartet that forms STEM education, establishes within it women as only 35% of students. Women often have poor access to STEM education as many green industries require. This goes back to many reasons like the socialization of women to see themselves as lacking in areas like maths and reasoning, cultural norms and entrenched gender stereotypes only adding to the problem, driving women away from male-led industries such as renewable energy and construction.
Another major driver is occupational segregation that keeps women in lower-paid and less technical roles in green industries. Those challenges are compounded by missing mentorship opportunities, limited professional networks, and workplace environments where inclusion is often low on the female agenda.
Wondering why it is crucial to achieve absolute inclusivity? Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Laureate, breathes life into the question.
Women bring unique skills and perspectives that are invaluable in addressing complex environmental challenges. Their inclusion often introduces a strong sense of intergenerational impact, fostering long-term solutions.
As essential caregivers and educators, women influence future generations’ attitudes and help cultivate a long-lasting commitment to environmental needs.
Women are the union makers in societies, within their small families or their workplaces, they always aim at executing a community-centered approach where they prioritize collaboration and controlling investments back into their families and community health, education, and well-being.
Not just excluded but also harmed; "Women are at the forefront of addressing climate issues because they are disproportionately affected and often have innovative and practical solutions." Mary Robinson
Climate change, being a threat to women, affects them disproportionately due to increased poverty, food insecurity, health risks, and displacement. The rise in temperatures will further increase the already prevailing reproductive and maternal health problems, which demand that climate policies be focused on gender because "There should be no decision about us, without us." as Agnes Leina reclaimed.
When women take up green jobs, it creates both economic growth and sustainability in social terms. This paves the way for the success of sustainability initiatives and the overall vitality of economies.
Ignoring this potential is just a hindrance toward sustainability goals and especially the very foundation of equitable development.
Changing the green lens vision towards gender? The executable plan is on the table!
It was never the solution to stay cross-armed, numerous actions must be taken into consideration to finish the gender gap in green jobs, for the sake of sustainability and gender equity.
This requires a multi-faceted approach; Encouragement of girls toward STEM education is critical for careers in green industries. Inclusive policies, such as parental leave, flexible hours, and gender-sensitive hiring, would also help women balance personal and professional responsibilities.
Finishing the next steps with the most mind-opening of all of them; Awareness, it has always been the key to any issue over the globe, spreading it at a regular pace will help us build links and avoid risks for a better world in all aspects of development whose core is sustainability and where women are encouraged to participate in green movements.
Excluding half the population depreciates the transformative power of the green dream, making it imperative to bridge this gender gap for a truly inclusive and sustainable future. Hence, imagine the dream coming true, where the economy is green and blue, and all women have a clue.
References:
Gender equality in the sustainable energy transition - UN WOMEN
The pivotal role of gender equality in climate finance - WEDO
Why women risk losing out in shift to green jobs - IMF
Gender Equity in the Just Transition and the Shift to Green Jobs - BSR
Gender, equality and inclusion for a just transition in climate action - ILO
Climate change impacts women more - World Economic Forum
Article Written by Imen Abid: Member of the Communications Team, 2024-2025.