Description
Resolution 2242 (2015), adopted by the Security Council in October 2015, recognized the link between climate change and the “Women Peace and Security” framework for the first time. However, the agenda continues to be devoid of any mention of the link between environmental issues, conflict, and violence against women. Women activists who took action to conserve natural resources and environmental rights have been silenced worldwide through arrests, physical assaults, or lawsuits.
In the coal-producing states of Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh in Central India, government forces favouring private mining businesses assault Adivasi (Indigenous) women defending their land. Many are arrested as 'naxalites', and cases can last years as police and security personnel, who commonly serve as investigative authorities and witnesses, refuse to appear in court. Armed conflict has a negative impact on women in these areas where security agents sexually assault Adivasi activists.
A disturbed social structure resulting from socioeconomic developments raises the burden of creating more income to fulfill necessities. The transformation to a mining zone made women who were formerly independent cultivators, to rely on others for their livelihood. When land is taken up for mining, they are forced to leave their economic roles and are seldom hired by companies. The lack of employment opportunities, health disorders, and other issues linked with mining force women, particularly young girls, into prostitution or other types of trafficking
The argument made in this paper is that uncontrolled resource exploitation leads to gendered consequences arising from the damage done to the environment and endangers global peace and security. It also looks, through an intersectional approach, at how the WPS agenda and environmental peacebuilding literature might work together to achieve gender equality, global environmental change, and sustainable peace.
