Climate change has affected many economies around the globe. Floods, droughts, heatwaves, and heavy rainfalls have taken many lives and contributed to the displacement of people. Climate change has a dire impact on the planet, but developing countries face the worst times.
Agriculture employs women
According to the climate change index report, Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change (Burck et al., 2018). In the last two decades, extreme weather changes have rigorously affected lives and livelihoods in the country, especially the marginalised segment of the population which works in the agriculture sector. Agriculture contributes 20,9 per cent of Pakistan’s gross domestic product GDP (Chandio et al., 2015).
The agriculture sector accommodates 70 per cent of women out of the total women labour force of Pakistan (Samee et al., 2015). However, only 40% of women find paid work in agriculture, and 60% do unpaid and underpaid work at family forms which are 2.6 per cent of Pakistan’s total GDP (Abbas, 2018). But because of climate change, women's unemployment in agriculture has been increasing promptly.
Culture alongside climate
Due to climate change impacts such as water shortage, salinity, and heatwaves, agriculture production has declined, and men are compelled to search for work in industries in nearby cities (Noshriwani, 2016). On the other hand, women are culturally not allowed to go out of the villages to find alternative work. Unemployment in the agriculture sector affects the overall household economic situation of farmers and plays a vital role in the social and economic exclusion of women.
Women's participation plays a significant role in household income and the overall economic growth of an area (Shambaugh, Nunn, and Portman, 2017). To overcome rural poverty, Pakistan needs to take a significant step to help women achieve economic independence (Khaskheli, 2018). Still, climate change worsens the financial situation of women in rural areas.
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible
To cope with the challenges of climate change impacts on women, it is important to find a new market for their skills where they can participate without worrying about cultural or traditional boundaries. Technology can play a vital role in connecting rural women to urban markets without displacing them. However, it needs a sufficient amount of time, hard work and sincere effort. As Audrey Hepburn says Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible.