Benefits of Women Actively Participating in Society

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Throughout human history women have played and continue to play a major role when carrying for the Earth’s environment. Women in particular are often the chief resource producers for their families in many parts of the world. As a result, these women become deeply dependent on natural resources which provide food, fuel, and shelter. Unfortunately, centuries of gender division between labor, land, and other resources has created an unequal and disproportionate affect on women. Authors Kari Norgaard and Richard York argue within their article Gender Equality and State Environmentalism, that “in an unequal society, the impacts of environmental degradation fall disproportionately on the least powerful…the gendered division of society provides women with unique firsthand experiences of environmental problems” (Norgaard & York 507). Therefore, it is no surprise that women have become the environments front line defenders.

Currently, studies have confirmed that woman tend to be more environmentally progressive within their communities in comparison to men cross-nationally. In nations like Germany and Russia “girls had higher levels of environmental awareness than boys; in Australia, girls exhibited greater environmental responsibility than did boys when socioeconomic levels were held constant” (Norgaard & York 509). Thus, within their article authors Norgaard and York were interested in analyze the benefits associated with the inclusion of women as equal members of society. They specifically chose to focus on the relationship between the number of women in Parliament and state environmentalism. The results of the analysis clearly suggested a positive correlation associated with women actively participating as citizens, voters, policy makers (a.k.a members of Parliament), and social movement participants and the development of state environmentalism. However, a 1990 UN Commission on the Status of Women estimated that in order for women to truly influence key outcomes and be taken seriously in state policy, a threshold of 30% of women in Parliament was required (Norgaard & York 514).

While the United States acts as one of the worlds largest powers, it still lags well behind  when it comes to female representation. Ranked as 75th on the list, the U.S. does not  reach the global average of 24.1% of lower house seats won by women (World Economic Forum). On the other hand, countries like Rwanda and Cuba hold the highest rankings for female representation in parliament. Since the new constitution was passed in 2003 decreeing that 30% of parliamentary seats be reserved for women in Rwanda, the country has been classified as incredibly clean, green and safe with many referring to it as the new Singapore of Africa. The village Rubaya located in the hills of northern Rwanda has played a major role in the country’s first “Green Village” intuitive. As a result, forty-three families have seen their food security improve (UN Environment Program). The key to the project’s success has been to focus on empowering the community, in particular the women. Thus, by empowering the local women the community as a whole has benefited tremendously.

Cuba has some of the best preserved land and waters in the Caribbean, even being referred to as the “jewel of the Caribbean.” According to official reports Cuban women in politics currently make up “nine of the 25 cabinet ministers and 14 of the 31 members of the state council are women, as are 299 of the 612 deputies of the National Assembly of People’s Power” (Grogg). While female participation in Cuban society has increased, they do continue to be more vulnerable to the impact of climate change. In particular, the majority of Cuban women often assume the domestic role acting as heads of the households while suffering greater tensions in the face of shortages during extreme events. However, women like marine biologist Angela Corvea are leading the way in environmental education initiatives. Corvea is the creator of the little cartoon philosopher dressed in an Ancient Greek tunic named Acualina. The little philosopher broadcasts her teachings, advice, issues warnings, and provides guidelines on how to reduce risks to the environment on TV and through other means, such as stickers and books.

While women continue to produce between 60 and 80 percent of food in developing countries they officially only own 2 percent of land worldwide (Global Women’s Issues). However, with their integration into political society women are able to not only empower themselves, but also our environment. Which in the end benefits us all.

Sources:

https://pages.uoregon.edu/norgaard/pdf/Gender-Equality-Norgaard-York-2005.pdf

Chapter 11: Women and the Environment

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/02/chart-of-the-day-these-countries-have-the-most-women-in-parliament/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rwanda-a-success-story-of-women-empowerment_b_5a4f1d87e4b0ee59d41c09ad

https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/women-take-lead-rwandas-first-green-village

https://www.realchangenews.org/2018/10/31/cuban-women-vulnerable-climate-change-forefront-struggle

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