Despite inequalities, women are forefront against drought

The UNCCD-FAO Report: “Women are most vulnerable to drought but are also at the forefront in developing solutions to the problem.” They produce up to 80 per cent of the food in developing countries, but represent less than 20 per cent of landowners

by Matteo Cavallito

 

Although facing greater challenges, women are showing remarkable leadership in combating drought globally. This is claimed by a new report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The study, launched last week on the occasion of International Rural Women’s Day, calls for better support for women’s efforts by highlighting how overcoming inequality in the distribution of land rights is key to achieving food security.

Thirty-five stories from three continents

The report presents 35 case studies observed in Africa, Asia and Latin America that illustrate the leading role women play in addressing the drought problem. Examples include water conservation practices and so-called climate-smart agricultural techniques as well as solutions that combine modern and traditional knowledge for water management.

These include eco-hydrological monitoring in Peru, the development of unique rainwater harvesting systems in India, and the restoration of degraded land through the cultivation of medicinal herbs in Kyrgyzstan.

“Women have long been viewed as the most vulnerable to drought, but as this report reveals, they are also the most resilient, leading the way in developing solutions to one of the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD executive secretary. “Addressing gender inequality is not only about fairness—it is an opportunity to harness untapped potential in the fight against climate change.”

The phenomenon disproportionately affects women

According to the report, women are disproportionately affected by drought because of persistent structural inequalities that limit their access to essential resources such as land, water and financial services. These inequalities also result in a significant workload, especially since in many drought-affected areas it is women who are primarily responsible for water collection. Which often means walking long distances.

“Despite facing systemic barriers such as limited land ownership,” says a UNCCD statement, “women are developing innovative solutions that enable their communities to adapt to the increasingly harsh environmental conditions.”

Women produce up to 80 per cent of the food in developing countries but account for less than 20 per cent of land owners and just 12 per cent of ministers of the environment (or related sectors, such as agriculture) in the world. A disparity that exacerbates their vulnerability to climate change. In contrast, “securing land rights for women improves household nutrition, increases spending on children’s education, and enhances overall economic conditions.”

The global impact of drought

The report recalls how drought contributes 15% of disaster-related economic losses globally and is also responsible for 85.8% of livestock deaths. It also causes soil degradation, a problem affecting up to 40% of the planet’s land area and impacting more than 3.2 billion people.

Also decisive is climate change, which particularly favours the phenomenon of flash droughts, characterised by the onset of sudden extreme heat waves.

This year, an international study involving the universities of Nanjing (in China), Peshawar (Pakistan), Jodpur (India) as well as the Seoul National University of Science and Technology and the Center for Forested Wetlands Research of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), found a sharp increase in this phenomenon, especially in Asia. According to the researchers, the frequency of sudden spring and summer droughts increased by about 20, 40, 60 and 80 per cent in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, respectively, between 2000 and 2020.