The GEA Times Commentary - Anisiia Moiakunova

Climate change and indigenous women in the North (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia))

By Anisiia Moiakunova, Arctic researcher

Anisiia Moiakunova, Arctic researcher

Climate change is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century, as many scientists, climatologists and country leaders have said. Scientific data tell us that this has happened more than once in the history of the Earth. Yes, the climate has changed in the past, and even more so than now. But it has never changed so rapidly before. The effects of climate change can already be seen, for example, the melting of perennial permafrost in the Arctic, the reduction in ice thickness, the early opening of rivers, which makes hunting difficult and disrupts traditional diets.

The first to face the effects of climate change are indigenous peoples of the North. The main reason is their dependence on the environment and their close relationship to natural resources. And climate change exacerbates the already existing difficulties faced by vulnerable indigenous communities, adding to political and economic marginalization, loss of land and resources, human rights violations, discrimination and unemployment. 

According to the authors of studies on gender equality, climate change and its impacts may affect men and women differently. This inequality is due to the fact that women are more vulnerable, have fewer resources and control over natural resources, including water and food, as well as gaps in education and employment opportunities. In indigenous cultures, there are still gender stereotypes that a woman's status is determined by her being the guardian of the home and her main purpose and meaning of life is to have a child and become a mother. 

Gender inequality in the Arctic remains the foundation of the way of life and the way of life. Indigenous women of tenface discrimination because it occurs within their national communities and from outside the dominant population. In addition, they also face inequalities within their own families. Lack of voice and participation in Government decision-making, high unemployment and migration potential due to new employment, labour and human rights violations make women most vulnerable to climate change. 

In order for the voices of Arctic residents on climate change issues to be heard, they need to be included in the working group because they have unique knowledge about the environment and this knowledge can be useful for adaptation to climate change.