Climate Change and Violence Against Women: Study of A Flood-Affected Population in The Rural Area of Sindh, Pakistan

Falak Shad Memon

doi:10.46521/pjws.027.01.0039

Abstract

Climate-induced gender-based violence is an emerging area of study. Although studies on women and climate change are not new, a fresh understanding of gender-based issues and related problems are becoming of greater concern now. Women in Pakistan are generally at a disadvantage due to their societally- perceived norms, roles and responsibilities. This study aims to examine the experiences of women in flood settlement camps and to identify an association between natural disasters and violence against women. For this study, with the help of qualitative research methodology, 20 women were interviewed in the flood-prone areas of Sindh. Findings show that most women experience different types of violence, physical as well as emotional, committed by partners and even by complete strangers. The rate of such violence rises when women are displaced and are in temporary shelter facilities during a post-disaster period. Committing violence under such situations results in critical implications for both women victims and the development and implementation of gender-sensitive climate change and disaster planning policies.

Highlights

The United Nations Declaration on Elimination of Violence Against Women in its Resolution 48/104 of 20 December 1993. defines violence as “Any act of gender based violence that results in physical, sexual or physiological harm or suffering and deprivation of liberty and needs in public and private life” (Sujatha, 2014)
Research studies which are concerned with violence against women caused by their economic marginalization, women’s low social status and unequal treatment of women during climate disasters, have defined it as climate change-induced violence against women
The participants in this study highlighted the emotional trauma they went through during the natural disaster that led to the first theme of gender-based violence, that is emotional

Summary

Introduction

The United Nations Declaration on Elimination of Violence Against Women in its Resolution 48/104 of 20 December 1993. defines violence as “Any act of gender based violence that results in physical, sexual or physiological harm or suffering and deprivation of liberty and needs in public and private life” (Sujatha, 2014). Women reportedly experience more violence than males do (Camey et al, 2020). Around one in three women experiences gender-based violence (The World Bank, 2019). This widespread gender-based discrimination and actual violence results in curtailing victims’ ability to grow and to survive as normal persons, but often results in acceptance of violence and harassment as natural and normal phenomena of their lives. South Asian countries are the most vulnerable to the risks caused by climate change, with its after–effects of food and water scarcity, risk of displacements, and risk of health hazards (McAdam and Saul, 2010). Shoreline intrusion and erosion, coastal flooding, agricultural disruption, and water scarcity will lead to massive migrations (McAdam and Saul, 2010)

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