International Women's Day Talks: is being eco-friendly considered a feminine trait?
From organic soap to reusable shopping bags, green products are overwhelmingly marketed to and bought primarily by women. Does this discourage men from taking responsibility? Is being eco-friendly considered a feminine trait? Are men less likely than women to embrace environmentally friendly products and behaviors?
In the edition of GREENEXT Talks: the International Women's Day Specials, let's shed light on the eco-gender gap, how gender equality and climate change are interconnected, and what we can do to overcome the eco-gender gap!
What is the eco-gender gap?
A survey held in 2018 by the market research firm, Mintel, said that 71% of women try to live more ethically, compared to 59% of men. For good measure, 65% also encourage friends and family to adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, while only 59% of men do.
©Adele Dipasquale, 2022
The study examined the differences between men and women and their connection to environmental issues and eco-friendly behavior - the former being less inclined to work towards a greener future, which was later coined as the ‘Eco-Gender Gap’, the disparity between the ethical choices made by men and women.
However, at the same time, the decision-makers in both government policy and the corporate world, who are in control of and own most of the world’s resources, are usually men. This makes the climate crisis one of the most powerful expressions of inequality between the sexes in the contemporary era.
Why does the eco-gender gap exist?
The eco-gender gap exists due to a complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors. Some of the key reasons for the gap include:
Gender-based Stereotypes and Bias
©National Cancer Institute
Gender stereotypes can have a significant impact on sustainability efforts by limiting women's participation and representation in environmental activism and leadership. Women are often seen as less capable or less interested in environmental and technical issues, leading to a gender bias in environmental careers and leadership positions. According to the National Science Board, women make up less than a third (30%) of the workforce in the environmental and natural resources management fields.
Lack of Representation in Leadership Positions
Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in the environmental sector, making it difficult for them to influence decisions and policies related to sustainability. This lack of representation also perpetuates gender bias, as men continue to dominate environmental leadership roles. A study by the Green Belt Movement found that only 26% of the top 200 environmental organizations worldwide are led by women. While the Harvard Business Review found that gender bias can play a significant role in hiring and promotion decisions, as women are often seen as less competent and less suited for leadership positions.
Gender Pay Gap in the Green Job Market
Women are often paid less than men for the same work, including in the green job market. A study by the National Women's Law Center found that U.S. women working in environmental and natural resources management fields earn only 83 cents for every dollar earned by men in these fields.
How are gender equality and climate change interconnected?
Climate change is not gender-neutral! Gender has a significant impact on environmental sustainability. As a matter of fact, women and girls experience the greatest impacts of climate change, which are often exacerbated by existing inequalities in gender, class, race, and geography.
Increased workloads
A report by Oxfam International found that in many countries, droughts and other extreme weather events often have a disproportionate impact on women, who are often responsible for providing for their families. This can lead to increased workloads, reduced access to food and water, and increased economic hardship.
Underrepresented in decision-making
©Montinique Monroe / Getty Images
A report by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) found that women are underrepresented in official delegations to the UN climate negotiations, and that their voices are often not adequately heard or reflected in the decisions that are made.
As a matter of fact, despite the unequivocal value of women’s participation in climate movements and their history as environmental defenders, men still fill 67% of climate-related decision-making roles and women’s representation in national and global climate negotiating bodies remains below 30%.
Health risks
A 2020 mapping analysis of 130 peer-reviewed studies published by Carbon Brief shows that women and girls often face disproportionately high health risks from the effects of climate change when compared with men and boys. The increased speed of diseases due to climate change, such as malaria, dengue fever, and waterborne illnesses, disproportionately affects women and children.
How to overcome the Eco-Gender Gap?
As consumers, we can help to create a more equitable and sustainable future, and support women and girls in their efforts to lead the way in the fight against climate change. Here are some ways that we can help to overcome the eco-gender gap:
Vote with your wallet!
We can support businesses that prioritize gender equality and sustainability. Look for companies that have a commitment to gender equality and sustainability; or companies that develop products and services that are designed with the needs of women and girls in mind; as well as eco-friendly products made by women-owned businesses that promote gender equality in the green economy.
Normalize men caring about climate!
In many cultures, people are socialized from early childhood to view caring about environmental issues as feminine. There is a fear of being feminine attached to being conscientious because men think that it is a female trait and therefore undermines their masculinity. As a result, some brands regard women as their ideal audience for ethical products, leading to a lack of male-orientated sustainable products.
Encouraging men to make a sustainable living and purchasing decisions can help to normalize the idea that men care about the environment and want to take action to protect it. This can include providing information and resources on environmentally responsible products, highlighting the environmental impact of different products, and encouraging men to consider the environmental impact of their living and purchasing decisions.
Self-educate and inspire others!
Learn about the ways in which gender equality and climate change are interconnected, and share this information with others to raise awareness and inspire action. Whether you're looking to raise awareness, deepen your understanding, or take action, these resources are a great place to start.
Films / Documentaries
A Sunny Day, directed by Faouzi Bensaïdi, 2019
This short film explores the impact of climate change on women in rural India, and the ways in which women are leading the charge in responding to the crisis.
The Migration Blanket – Climate Solidarity, directed by Salma Zulfiqar, 2021
This short film shows how women's lives are being affected, with girls and women in the UK and the Commonwealth nations, calling for a greener planet.
The Motherhood Manifesto, Directored by Laura Pacheco, 2006
This film explores the connections between motherhood, environmental sustainability, and social justice, including in the context of the impacts of climate change.
Online Resources
Cource: Gender Equality and Human Rights in Climate Action and Renewable Energy via UN CC:Learn
UN CC:Learn offers this self-paced e-course provides an overview of the interlinkages between gender, human rights, climate change, and renewable energy.
Guide: Men in the climate crisis by MÄN
Swedish non-profit MÄN has developed a conversation guide with a focus on masculinity norms' impact on the environment and climate, giving them the tools to become more active participants in driving equality and sustainability solutions.
Guide: Resource Guide on Gender and Climate Change by United Nations Development Programme
This resource guide aims to inform practitioners and policy makers of the linkages between gender equality and climate change.
©Red Dot / Unsplash
As Gloria Steinem once said, "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." Instead of thinking of Earth as our mother, and of women as caretakers, we should regard our planet as a home, which, regardless of gender, everyone has a responsibility towards protecting.
