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Women and Environmental Justice Women and Environmental Justice • About WHIN • What is Environmental Justice? • Women and Environmental Justice • Aspects of Environmental Justice About WHIN • Regional women’s health service for NMR and one of 11 specialist services in Victoria. • Covering Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra. • 20 years experience in providing services Women’s Health Promotion Women’s Health In the North (WHIN) aims to strengthen women’s health and wellbeing, with a strategic focus on preventing violence against women, sexual and reproductive rights, economic participation and environmental sustainability. What is Environmental Justice (EJ)? ‘…the fair treatment for people of all races, cultures and incomes regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations and policies’ (Environmental Protection Agency, USA) Women and EJ Why should a gendered perspective be included in EJ analysis? 1. Women are generally poorer than men. 2. The social construction of womanhood restricts women’s behaviour. 3. Women live longer than men. 1. Women are generally poorer than men • Worldwide, women earn just over 50c to every dollar earned by a men. • In Australia, women earn about 18% less than men. • 55% of women in their 60s have no superannuation. Why? • Women do more unpaid work and have more caring responsibilities. – Women are much more likely to be lone parents. • Segregation of women into lowpaying work. • Steven Pressman, 2003: Feminist Explanations for the Feminization of Poverty 2. The Social Construction of Womanhood • More women died in floods in Bangladesh because they are not taught to swim and because culturally-specific clothing (e.g. saris) restrict movement. • In Australia, women in male-headed households are less likely to be familiar with bushfire protection procedures. • Women are less likely to use cars than men, resulting in a greater reliance on public transport. • Women are more vulnerable to domestic violence and rape after natural disasters. 3. Women live longer than men Life expectancy for Australians: Men: 79.4 Women: 84.35 Intersections of discrimination ‘Gendered vulnerability does not derive from a single factor… but reflects historically and culturally specific patterns of relations in social institutions, culture and personal lives. Intersecting with economic, racial and other inequalities, these relationships create hazardous social conditions placing different groups of women differently at risk.’ (Enarson 1998) Economic Participation Housing • Poorer areas more likely to be polluted • Fuel poverty • Protection against heatwaves • Rental housing • Homeless women Transport • Importance of mobility • Women use cars less often, public transport more often • Problems exacerbated by urban planning • Women in rural areas Food Insecurity • Women are traditionally in charge of household food supplies • Related to poverty • Women in rural areas • Homeless women Women and Natural Disaster Disasters • • • • • Preparing for disasters Evacuation Aftermath Emergency management Disaster education Heatwaves • Women and thermoregulation • Who is at risk? • The elderly, children • Women? • Socio-economic status/education level? Why might women be more at risk? Mental Health Women and Mental Health • Women are more vulnerable to ‘internalising disorders’ such as depression and anxiety. • Men are more vulnerable to ‘externalising disorders’, e.g. aggression. • Why? • Impoverished groups are at a greater risk of mental health problems. Climate Change and Mental Health • Increase in number and severity of natural disasters. • Increased risk of injury and physical health problems. • Endangerment of natural and social environments. • Corollary effects • Effects of adaptation Climate change, mental health and women • Very little research • Expectation that existing risks would be magnified Climate Change and Rural Women Rural Women • Australian agriculture is highly male-dominated. • Women’s work is often ignored and specific needs are not considered. • Women have little presence in decision-making. Rural Women and Drought • Women forced to seek off-farm work to supplement family income. • Personal relationships put under stress. • Instability within family. • Women became farm financial managers. • Women usually excluded from decision-making. • Children. Children, the Elderly and the Disabled Children • 88% of the burden of disease due to climate change falls on children. • Physiology • Mental age • Burden on women The Elderly • Physiological effects of ageing • In disasters • Knowledge transfer The Disabled • • • • 10% of any population, but often invisible Women with disabilities Disasters Building alliances Decision-Making and Leadership Women and Leadership • Equal representation • Women constitute 13% of government officials worldwide • Women in environmental movements • Critical mass Conclusion How are these issues relevant to women living in Melbourne? Contact Details Cathy Weiss Research Assistant – EJ priority area Women’s Health In the North 680 High Street Thornbury 3071 9484 1666 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/whinmelbourne http://twitter.com/#!/whinwomen