As we celebrate International Women’s Day it is also important to recognise the critical but silent contribution of women to climate protection and environment sustainability.
Per the 6th Economic Census, women make up 14 per cent of entrepreneurs in India and are growing at a rapid pace. This highlights their critical role in advancing economic growth as well as generating employment.
In addition to their growing contribution to India’s growth, the other interesting aspect is the contribution women are making to environment and sustainability. The inspiring stories of Padma Shri recipients — environmentalist Chami Murmu, who was responsible for planting 3 million trees in Jharkhand, anti-pollution activist Almitra Patel, Rahibai Popere also known as the Seed Mother of India who opened a seed bank at her home for farmers, and Lakhimi Baruah who financially empowered Assamese women among many others — are relatively unknown stories but they demonstrate the creativity and tenacity of women. Women have long been protectors of the environment, demonstrating deep commitment to conserving nature. In the 1970s, women led the Chipko movement in India to save trees.
In the “New India”, rural women are leading the charge to reform the social, economic, and environmental spheres. Nearly 80 per cent of rural women work in agriculture and their sustainable practices of promoting water harvesting, tree planting, biodiversity protection, etc. has been key to drive a more positive environmental impact.
Global role models
Globally, the Poder y Luz Maya Movement, which was started by two environmentalists — Monika Noeline Goforth and Marilena Choguaj in Central America — identified the urgent need to address lack of electricity, clean water, and extreme poverty. They focused on empowering communities with sustainable energy solutions and provided essential technologies like clean stoves, solar systems, water filters, and solar dehydrators to enhance local living conditions.Similar movements got sparked by this concept in India, where women led the adoption of renewable energy alternatives.
Some notable women-led contributions for climate and sustainability in India include the efforts to promote biodiversity and traditional farming methods to support local economies and contributing to the larger movement for sustainable development through policy and education. These women show how powerful female leadership can drive meaningful environmental change.
In recognition of their role, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) in 2017 launched an initiative WiS, Women in Sustainability, on World Environment Day to nurture and expand involvement of women across discussions in larger platforms for sustainable practices.
Across all issues like extreme weather, water scarcity, and agricultural problems, women have played a key role in promoting environmental reforms.
Research consistently demonstrates the significant impact of women’s leadership on climate change initiatives. Countries with higher numbers of women in governance tend to ratify international environmental treaties more frequently and implement stricter climate policies. Businesses with gender diversity show superior environmental reporting and governance, investing more in renewable energy and efficiency improvements. A paradigm change toward economic prosperity can be achieved by empowering and mainstreaming more rural women in the agricultural workforce.
Given their roles as caregivers and community leaders, women’s unique perspectives are invaluable in creating effective and enduring solutions to environmental challenges. Society will be better prepared to handle environmental crises, if more women participate in discussions and planning related to disaster management.
The writer is Executive Director, Bank of Baroda. Views are personal
