Breaking Barriers: Addressing Gender and Age Disparities in Political Engagement for Climate Action

In my previous blog, we discussed the power of youth and the disparities in youth voter turnout in regards to advocacy for climate change policy. In this blog post, we will delve into the complex intersection of age and gender in climate change activism, examining the unique challenges faced by individuals and exploring strategies for fostering more inclusive and effective climate action efforts. By recognizing and addressing these intersectional disparities, we can build a stronger, more resilient movement that truly reflects the diversity of experiences and perspectives. Together, let us bridge generational and gender gaps in climate activism to create a more just, sustainable, and equitable future for all.

Let’s Recap Generational Disparities in the fight for Climate Change Policy

Age intersects with gender to shape individuals’ experiences, perspectives, and opportunities in climate activism. Younger generations, inspired by movements like Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion, as mentioned in the previous blog, often lead the charge in demanding bold action on climate change. Their passion, energy, and commitment to environmental justice are driving forces behind the global climate movement. However, they also face age-related biases and challenges, such as being dismissed or underestimated due to their youth, leading younger generations to not feel the calling to actively participate politically.

The graph above shows the age gap and voter turnout comparison between the younger and the older age groups in the 2014 European Parliament elections in which the gap in electoral participation between the age group of 55 years and above and the younger age group of 16-24 exceeded 20 percentage points in 16 out of the 28 member states (Ares 2019). The only country in which the youth group was truly more participative was Sweden. Belgium also had higher youth voter turnout although this is due to the fact that voting is compulsory in this country.

The Role of Older Generations

Although it is vital for youth political participation specifically in climate change advocacy, older generations also play an important role in climate activism, albeit with different approaches and priorities. Many individuals in these age groups bring valuable perspectives and experiences gained from decades of environmental advocacy, community organizing, and policymaking. They may have witnessed the evolution of environmental movements over time and have valuable insights into effective strategies for creating change. The graph below from the UNDP Peoples’ Climate Vote shows that although 11% more young people (aged below 18) viewed climate change as an emergency, over 50% if older people (aged above 60) also held belief in the climate crisis, showing that it is not solely young people that are concerned (2021).

However, older generations may also face challenges related to entrenched attitudes, resistance to change, and limited familiarity with digital tools and social media platforms commonly used in contemporary activism. Additionally, some older individuals may prioritize economic stability and personal well-being over environmental concerns, reflecting differing values and life experiences.

Understanding and bridging the generational divide in climate activism is crucial for fostering collaboration and harnessing the collective power of diverse age groups. By recognizing the strengths and contributions of each generation, climate activists can work together to develop inclusive and effective strategies for addressing the climate crisis.

The Gender Gap in Political Engagement

Historically, women have faced systemic barriers to political participation, including legal restrictions on voting rights and societal norms that limited their involvement in public affairs. While significant strides have been made in securing women’s suffrage and political rights, the legacy of these historical inequalities can still impact voter turnout among women today. Persistent gender biases, stereotypes, and cultural expectations may contribute to women feeling marginalized or disenfranchised in the political sphere, leading to lower levels of political engagement and voter turnout.

Societal factors such as caregiving responsibilities, economic disparities, and access to resources can also impact women’s ability to participate in the electoral process. Women, particularly those from marginalized communities, may face challenges balancing work, family, and civic responsibilities, making it difficult to prioritize voting or engage in political activities. Economic barriers, including financial insecurity and lack of access to transportation or childcare, can further restrict women’s ability to participate in elections, particularly in marginalized or under-resourced communities.

This graph shows that in the 2014 European Parliamentary Elections women were less likely to vote in France (-11.6 pps), Portugal (-11.3 pps), Poland (-7.4 pps), Germany (-6.6 pps), Italy(-5.7 pps), Czechia (-5.4 pps), Finland (-5.4 pps), Croatia (-4.9 pps), Bulgaria (-4.3 pps), Romania (-3.2 pps), Slovakia (-2.8 pps), Luxembourg (-2.7 pps), Austria (-2.3 pps), Hungary(-1.4 pps), Spain (-1.3 pps), Belgium (-0.5 pps), Greece (-0.5 pps), Ireland (-0.2 pps) and theUK (-0.1 pps) (Ares, 2019).

Additionally, women may perceive the political process as inaccessible or unresponsive to their concerns, leading to feelings of disillusionment or apathy towards voting. This sentiment can be exacerbated by a lack of representation and visibility of women in politics, as well as the prevalence of gender-based discrimination and harassment in political spaces. Without adequate representation and meaningful engagement, women may feel disempowered or disconnected from the political process, contributing to lower voter turnout rates among women.

Gender Disparities in Climate Change Advocacy

Women, particularly those from marginalized communities, often face additional hurdles in climate activism due to societal norms, gender stereotypes, and systemic inequalities. Despite playing a central role in climate action, women are often underrepresented in leadership positions, decision-making processes, and public discourse. The video below discusses the balance of gender in leadership positions in European Parliament.

Although quotas put in place to ensure more representation of women in places of power, the average representation of women in the world’s legislatures
stands at 16 percent (Ballington and Binda 2004).

Societal expectations and gender stereotypes also play a significant role in shaping women’s experiences in climate activism. Women are often perceived as caregivers and nurturers, roles that may conflict with the perceived image of a climate activist as assertive, outspoken, and confrontational. As a result, women may face judgment, scrutiny, and resistance when participating in climate activism, leading to self-censorship and reduced visibility within the movement.

The Intersection of Age and Gender

It is important to analyze the intersection of different types of young people or different types of women in power. Because people belong to many different overlapping and/or intersecting groups, people’s interests will most likely exist along more than one dimension (Strolovitch, 2007). So although there may be women representation in some aspects, does this include women in minority groups, youth women, women of different religions or sexualities? This just some food for thought an a call to recognize that addressing these intersectional disparities is essential for building a more inclusive and representative movement that truly reflects the diversity of experiences and perspectives.

Thanks for reading!

I hope this blog has opened your mind to the different aspects of the inequalities faced by many different types of people when considering political engagement and the fight for climate change activism!

References

Strolovitch, DZ 2007, Affirmative Advocacy : Race, Class, and Gender in Interest Group Politics, University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central.