Extreme Weather and Women: Exploring Impacts and Responses

Abstract

Extreme weather caused by climate change is increasingly attracting public attention, and the shortage of food, water and many other resources caused by extreme weather has put women, as a vulnerable group, to an even more severe test, substantially affecting their everyday life, physical and mental health. In the context of the present-day climate change, issues affecting women demand an enormous amount of attention since, while being at an unfair disadvantage in the fight against climate change, they are a force to be reckoned with. This paper based on accumulating and assessing the existing literature and investigates the effects of climate change-induced extreme weather conditions on women and offers suggestions and tactics for minimizing the negative impact that weather extremes cause. The concept of "gender equality" should be considered in climate action and decision-making, it is argued, in order to support the equal and healthy development of society.