The Gender Dimension of Climate Change: A Philippine Case Study

Abstract

This research project will explore the gender dimension of climate change using The City of San Fernando located in the Ilocos Region of the Philippines, as a case study. Feminist researchers argue that gender is considered a critical variable for shaping access to the resources needed to cope with climate-related disasters and change. In particular, initiatives and policies that target the specific vulnerabilities of farmers and fishers will be investigated to determine whether they are gender-sensitive. An intersectional feminist political ecology approach will be undertaken to determine the extent to which gender is considered in these approaches and identify the underlying social, cultural and historical factors that contribute to gender equality or inequality. Perceptions of gendered vulnerability are mediated by hegemonic climate change development discourses that homogenise women in the developing world as poor and vulnerable. These depictions of women as vulnerable because they are poor result in the dominance of poverty reduction measures The Philippines is an interesting area of study as extensive institutional arrangements have been put in place to support women; however, this is contrasted by inherent social arrangements that continue to undermine the role of rural women within particular parts of society. Government and development agencies have established supporting and inclusionary measures that aim to enhance gender equality; however, these policies and initiatives do not always translate into observable effects on the ground level. Gender norms, gender roles and the gender division of labour shape how vulnerability is perceived which in turn influence climate change adaptation measures. I argue that if contextual vulnerabilities and gender roles are not acknowledged, within farming and fisher folk communities, then vulnerability reduction measures may produce multiple burdens for women.