Tasks that traditionally fall on women, such as producing and gathering food and fuel, and collecting water, become increasingly difficult. Due to climate-related events, millions of girls in low- and middle-income countries will be unable to complete their education. In the words of Project Drawdown, education is "the most powerful lever available for breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, while mitigating emissions by curbing population growth." Each additional year of secondary school increases a girl's future earnings. Better educated women marry later in life and have fewer, healthier children. They also tend to have more productive agricultural plots and better- nourished families. Last but not least, they are better equipped to withstand the effects of climate change. Providing girls and women with the means and ability to access education is one thing; what they're taught is another. Unfortunately, our schooling isn't preparing us for our climate- smart future. If we include climate change education in our curriculum, it could equip our
youth, including girls, to adapt to this information and to grow up having a
measurable impact in creating businesses that tackle social and environmental problems.
“…hallmarks of patriarchy such as dominance, supremacy, violence, extraction, egotism, greed, and ruthless competition fuel the climate crisis just as surely as they do inequality. Patriarchy silences, breeds contempt, fuels destructive capitalism and plays a zero- sum game. The harms are chronic, cumulative, and fundamentally planetary. Patriarchy fuels climate change,
To tackle climate change, education, and GBV (as well as the myriad of other sustainability challenges that face today's organisations), leaders must acknowledge the complexity and interconnectedness of these issues and work to develop integrated solutions that will improve them all. Closing the education gap, dismantling patriarchy, and taking bold climate action are critical to our aspirations for gender equality and justice. If you’re interested in finding out more about our programmes Visit our website at www.primestars.co.za or email projects@primestars.co.za
which in turn exacerbates gender-based violence, creating a vicious cycle.”
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June 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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