Climate Change and Gender-Based Violence Crisis

The recent United Nations report released on April 23, 2025, marks a disturbing correlation between climate change and the rise of gender-based violence. As global temperatures increase, the report warns that incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV) are projected to rise . The report indicates that for every 1°C rise in temperature, IPV cases could increase by nearly 5%. This alarming trend suggests that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a pressing social crisis affecting women and girls worldwide.

About Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence encompasses physical, sexual, and psychological abuse directed at individuals based on their gender. The report reveals that over one billion women, or one in three, have faced some form of abuse throughout their lives. This widespread epidemic is compounded by climate change, which exacerbates existing inequalities.

Climate Change as a Catalyst

The report identifies extreme weather, displacement, food insecurity, and economic instability as key factors that intensify gender-based violence. Vulnerable communities, already struggling with systemic inequalities, experience these impacts most severely. Women in poverty, Indigenous women, and those with disabilities face heightened risks, often lacking access to necessary support services.

Statistics and Projections

The projections are stark. If global temperatures rise by 2°C, an estimated 40 million additional women could experience IPV annually by 2090. Under a 3.5°C scenario, this number more than doubles. In sub-Saharan Africa, cases of IPV could triple from 48 million in 2015 to 140 million by 2060 if temperatures continue to rise unchecked.

Impact of Climate Disasters

Climate-related disasters have been shown to create surges in violence. For instance, femicide rates increased by 28% during heatwaves. The report marks that 93.1 million people were affected by climate-related disasters in 2023, with around 423 million women experiencing IPV.

Marginalised Groups at Greater Risk

Women from marginalised groups face the greatest threats. This includes women living in poverty, older women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. These groups often lack access to shelters and healthcare, leaving them particularly vulnerable during climate crises.

Violence Against Environmental Defenders

The report also sheds light on the violence faced by women environmental defenders. In Guatemala, women opposing illegal logging have been forcibly evicted. In the Philippines, women resisting mining operations have faced threats and attacks. This violence marks the intersection of gender issues and environmental activism.

Need for Integrated Solutions

Despite the urgent need for action, only 0.04% of global climate-related funding is directed towards gender equality. The report describes this as a critical failure. It calls for the integration of gender-based violence prevention into climate policies at all levels. Successful examples from countries like Haiti and Mozambique demonstrate how addressing climate and gender justice together can yield positive outcomes.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically analyse the relationship between climate change and gender-based violence in contemporary society.
2. What are the implications of climate change on women’s rights and safety? Explain with suitable examples.
3. What measures can be adopted to prevent gender-based violence in climate-affected regions? Discuss.
4. Comment on the role of international organisations in addressing gender-based violence linked to climate change.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically analyse the relationship between climate change and gender-based violence in contemporary society.

1. Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, leading to increased vulnerability among women and girls.
2. For every 1°C rise in global temperature, intimate partner violence (IPV) cases increase by nearly 5%.
3. Extreme weather events and economic instability are key factors that intensify gender-based violence.
4. Marginalised communities, especially women in poverty, face heightened risks during climate crises.
5. Reports indicate that over one billion women have experienced some form of gender-based violence, a figure that is likely to rise with climate change.

2. What are the implications of climate change on women’s rights and safety? Explain with suitable examples.

1. Climate change leads to displacement, increasing the risk of violence against women.
2. Food insecurity caused by climate impacts can lead to economic instability, further endangering women’s safety.
3. Increased IPV and femicide rates during climate disasters highlight the direct impact on women’s safety.
4. Examples include a projected increase of 40 million women experiencing IPV annually by 2090 under a 2°C rise.
5. Marginalised women, such as Indigenous and disabled women, face unique challenges and threats during climate events.

3. What measures can be adopted to prevent gender-based violence in climate-affected regions? Discuss.

1. Integrate gender-based violence prevention strategies into climate policy and disaster response plans.
2. Enhance access to support services, shelters, and healthcare for women in vulnerable communities.
3. Implement community-based programs that address both climate resilience and gender equality.
4. Invest in education and awareness campaigns focused on gender-based violence in the context of climate change.
5. Utilize successful models from countries like Haiti and Mozambique that demonstrate effective integration of climate and gender justice.

4. Comment on the role of international organisations in addressing gender-based violence linked to climate change.

1. International organisations like the UN Spotlight Initiative work to eliminate violence against women and girls globally.
2. They provide critical data and reports that highlight the intersection of climate change and gender-based violence.
3. These organisations advocate for policy changes and funding directed towards gender equality in climate initiatives.
4. They support grassroots projects that integrate climate resilience with gender justice, encouraging local solutions.
5. Despite their efforts, only 0.04% of climate-related funding focuses on gender equality, indicating a need for increased investment and focus.