Gendered Impacts of Environmental Degradation in Informal Settlements: A Comparative Analysis and Policy Implications for India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

• Published in: Journal of comparative policy analysis Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 468 - 484
• Main Authors: Patel, Amit, Lotia, Hina, Malik, Ammar A., Mundt, Marcia D., Lee, Hyunjung, Rafiq, Muhammad Arshed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 04-07-2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Climate change; Comparative analysis; Comparative studies; Environmental degradation; Environmental impact; Environmental risk; Gender inequality; Gender relations; informal settlements; mixed methods; Mixed methods research; Settlements & damages; Urban environments; women's empowerment; Bangladesh; Pakistan; India
• ISSN: 1387-6988; 1572-5448
• DOI: 10.1080/13876988.2020.1829454

Degraded urban environments disproportionately affect marginalized populations, and especially impoverished women in South Asia's informal settlements, where climate change vulnerabilities and gender inequalities are extreme. A comparative analysis was conducted of three neighboring countries, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where urban environments, climate risks, and gender relations exhibit significant variances. With original survey data from 12 informal settlements across New Delhi, Dhaka, Islamabad, and Lahore, it was found that women are less empowered than men in all three countries, but their determinants related to environmental degradation and climate change vary. Qualitative data from key informants reveals several explanatory mechanisms of observed differences.