BEIJING INDIA REPORT: A MILESTONE AND OPPORTUNITY

UPSC Relevance

• GS-1: Society – Women’s Issues, Gender Equity
• GS-2: Governance and Policies – Gender Budgeting, Policy Execution
• GS-3: Climate Change – Adaptation Strategies, Policy Integration

Key Points

Neglect of Gender-Climate Nexus

• The 2024 Beijing India Report reveals that India’s climate policies lack gender sensitivity.
• Despite laws like the POSH Act and Domestic Violence Act, gaps persist in women’s economic empowerment and access to basic rights.

Rural Women’s Vulnerability and Migration Risks

• Rural women, critical to climate response, face heightened risks of malnutrition, food insecurity, displacement, and mental health challenges.
• Pregnant women in India have the highest rates of anemia, with over 50% lacking consistent food access.

Unpaid Labor and Time Burden

• Indian women dedicate approximately 7.8 hours daily to unpaid tasks, a figure projected to rise to 8.3 hours by 2050 without corrective measures.

Women’s Contributions to Adaptation and Resilience

• Indigenous women’s practices, such as forest-based livelihoods, support sustainable farming.
• Their involvement in policymaking, food systems, and resource management needs greater acknowledgment and expansion.

Climate Financing and Private Sector Involvement

• Investments should prioritize women’s inclusion in green jobs and leadership roles.
• Green budgeting and localized adaptation strategies are essential for equitable development.

Analysis and Path Forward

• India must integrate gender considerations into climate adaptation across all sectors.
• Enhancing women’s leadership and improving public services like sanitation, energy, and food security can foster a gender-equitable and resilient climate response.
• The Beijing+30 milestone offers a chance to align gender and climate goals.