How climate change impacts women at work

Climate change is already having serious impacts on the safety and health of workers in all regions of the world.^[ref1] However, climate change can disproportionately affect some groups more than others. The impact of climate change on the occupational safety and health (OSH) of workers may vary depending on location, age, class, income and gender.

What is the issue? 

The effect of climate change on women and girls includes limited access to natural resources and threats to securing income for heavily impacted occupations such as agriculture.

Long-standing gender disparities – such as limited access to information, mobility and decision-making power – are made worse by climate change. Therefore, a gender-sensitive approach is needed for addressing climate change in the workplace. 

All demographics over the globe face the adverse effects of climate change. However, women workers may be at an increased risk due to their job roles, such as in subsistence agriculture and during different stages of lives, for example pregnancy complications and menopause.^{[ref 1]}

One example of women being impacted by climate change can be seen in agriculture.^{[ref 2]}  Agriculture is the most important employment sector for women in low- and middle-income countries.^{[ref 3]} In the Middle East, women make up to 50 per cent of the agricultural workforce.^{[ref 2]} In poorer communities that are dependent on natural resources for food and water, women generally shoulder the responsibility for these.

An increase in extreme weather conditions, such as drought and floods, will also negatively impact women. That’s because during such events, women tend to bear responsibility for ensuring the household has enough food and water. This leaves less time for women to earn income and take part in education.^{[ref 2]}

An extreme example of the impact of heat on women at work can be seen in The Gambia. This is expected to be on the sharp end of increasing temperatures, one of the most significant health threats caused by climate change. However, there is a gendered dimension to this issue. 

A recent study showed that women experienced significant heat stress while working outside during pregnancy. Symptoms included headaches, dizziness, nausea and chills. Women in The Gambia use adaptive techniques while working, such as resting in the shade, taking regular breaks, drinking water, taking medication for headaches, and reducing the area that they cultivate. Layered identities – such as household power structures relating to age, migration, material status and socioeconomic status – have prevented and reduced the extent that these women are able to control the effects of extreme heat exposure at work.^{[ref 4]} 

What can be done? 

These are big questions with no simple answers. Organisation and governments alike should employ a gender-specific approach when addressing climate change, particularly in areas vulnerable to disasters, food insecurity and conflict.^{[ref 2]} 

When adopting new technologies for workers impacted by climate change, women should be involved in the process to ensure they are appropriate. When planning and implementing new strategies, women should be involved at organisation and national level in the decision-making process. 

A case study example is the ‘climate change, its impact on the world of work, OSH and gender workshops.’ These workshops were run by the International Labour Organization and Ministries of Labour in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt in 2023. They were aimed at labour inspectors to raise awareness of the effects of climate change on women’s health issues at work. Topics included heat stress for women working in agriculture and other outdoor work, vector borne diseases, air quality, extreme weather, water scarcity and psychological stress. The result of these workshops was labour inspectors were trained on climate change issues and ready to share this awareness with organisations and workers alike.^{[ref 1]}

References 

1. ILO (2024). Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate | International Labour Organization. [online]
2. ‌‌Osman-Elasha, B. (2009). Women...In The Shadow of Climate Change. [online] United Nations. 
3. ‌UN Women – Headquarters. (2024). How gender inequality and climate change are interconnected. [online] 
4. Spencer, S, Samateh, T, Wabnitz, K, Mayhew, S, Allen, H. and Bonell, A. (2022). The Challenges of Working in the Heat Whilst Pregnant: Insights From Gambian Women Farmers in the Face of Climate Change. Frontiers in Public Health, 10.