The gender disparities observed in green jobs and the imperative of empowering women within the framework of low-carbon transitions underscores the hurdles faced by women in accessing opportunities in environmentally sustainable sectors and advocates for inclusive strategies to address these challenges.
Gender Disparities in Green Jobs:
Underrepresentation: Despite the potential for 35 million green jobs in India by 2047, women remain significantly underrepresented in sectors such as renewable energy and manufacturing.
Gender disparities: Existing data reveals stark gender disparities in training for green skills, with social norms and safety concerns limiting women's participation in technical roles.
Unequal distribution: The unequal distribution of green jobs perpetuates gender biases in the labor market and constrains women's economic empowerment and agency.
Addressing Data Gaps and Structural Barriers:
Limited data on women's participation in green jobs underscores the need for sex-disaggregated data collection and gender analysis to understand the landscape better.
Overcoming structural barriers, including inadequate representation in STEM fields and societal norms, requires targeted policies and interventions to enhance women's access to green job opportunities.
COP 28's initiative on 'Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and Climate Action Partnership' highlights the global commitment to inclusivity in transition planning and the importance of data-driven strategies.
Strategies for Women's Empowerment:
Bridging the gender gap in STEM education and promoting early hands-on learning and mentorship can enhance women's participation in key sectors for green transition.
Tailored financial policies, including collateral-free lending and financial literacy training, are essential to support women entrepreneurs entering the green economy.
Promoting women's leadership in decision-making processes and fostering partnerships across sectors are critical for ensuring gender equity and inclusivity in low-carbon development strategies.