The Ramifications of Climate Change: Study of Gender Inequality in Algeria

This article examines the intersection of climate change and gender inequality in Algeria, highlighting how environmental challenges exacerbate socio-economic vulnerabilities for women. It explores the compounded effects of displacement, economic marginalisation, and gender-based violence, revealing gaps in existing legislation. Addressing these issues requires an intersectional approach integrating gender-sensitive policies into Algeria’s climate governance framework.

Women protesting in Algeria, 2019.

A MENA Desk Commentary by Sharvari Patil | Edited by Aishik Goswami Research and Publications Division 

Women’s rights have been a topic of discussion since ancient times. After the Second World War, these discussions gained momentum, with various women’s movements taking place across the globe. The United Nations Organisation (UN/UNO) recognised the struggle for women's rights through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. However, this was not the end of women’s struggle, and almost a century later, women continue to fight for their rights. The issues faced by women have aggravated during modern times because of problems like climate change (Sprague & Stein, 2024). This is especially true in countries like Algeria, which are vulnerable to climate change (World Bank Group, 2021).

Relation between Climate Change and Gender Disparity  

Abuse against women and girls is not unknown. Globally, multiple cases of sexual assault, sexual and domestic violence against women, feminicide, and many more are recorded every day (UN Women, 2023). According to UN Women, climate change is a significant influence on increased vulnerability to all forms of Sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV), including sexual violence, human trafficking, and child marriage. In Algeria, rural women face high levels of poverty and a lack of access to education, health, and employment opportunities, especially among widows, divorcees, and those who head households (UC Berkeley). Algeria is ranked 13th out of 179 countries, making it the 166th most climate-vulnerable country in the world (World Bank Group, 2021).

Furthermore, it is ranked 18 out of 184 for drought risk and about 10% of its population is exposed to the effects of drought (World Bank Group, 2021). These issues not only economically affect women but also marginalise them in terms of access to health care and reproductive and political rights, raising safety concerns (Duggan, 2023). Therefore, climate change is deemed to exacerbate gender disparity.

Women in Algeria

Almost 84% of Algeria is a part of the Sahara Desert (European Committee of the Regions ). This desert is spreading in the western part of Algeria, and 30 Algerian provinces are threatened by desertification (European Committee of the Regions, n.d.). This process of Algerian desertification is accelerated due to climate change (European Committee of the Regions, n.d.). Algeria is also already vulnerable to environmental threats like floods, drought, heatwaves, and wildfires, which risk intensifying under the climate crisis (UC Berkeley). For instance, in April 2023, it experienced a heatwave in which the temperatures exceeded 40 ºC, which led to approximately 262 deaths (UC Berkeley, n.d.). The 2021 flooding and wildfire displaced 66000 people, and in the past 10 years, climate-related disasters have displaced 5000-10000 people per year (UC Berkeley). Thus, climate change has impacted and continues to impact the Algerian citizenry. 

It is common knowledge at this juncture that displacement unequally impacts men and women, especially leaving women and children vulnerable to various safety risks. Legally, Algerian women might have acquired equal status to men but still received subordinate treatment. For instance, in Wilson Center’s (2021) blog on the Middle Women initiative, it was stated that domestic and sexual violence against women has increased since the outbreak of COVID-19. The blog report stated that “since the beginning of 2020, over 50 women in Algeria have been victims of femicide, and the death toll is expected to rise due to the silence of the authorities and a society that regards domestic violence as a private, household matter. Considered men’s ‘property’, women are expected not to complain about their situation.”. This indicates the implementation of women’s rights in Algeria. 

As mentioned, climate change negatively affects both genders in all aspects of their lives, including economic and political. Economically, it can be stated that women already restricted to caregiving and household chores could be further marginalised due to climate change as they financially rely on their spouses. Furthermore, in areas where women are still considered men’s ‘property’, they could be subjected to sex work, human trafficking, femicide (which is already prevalent), and domestic and sexual violence. Politically, women’s rights would further diminish to a negligible level, wherein access to healthcare, professional opportunities, education, and many others would be restricted. 

The compounded effects of climate change and entrenched gender inequalities present a dire reality for Algerian women. While Algeria faces significant environmental challenges, the societal structures and cultural norms continue to exacerbate vulnerabilities for women and children, placing them at heightened risk of violence, displacement, and marginalisation. Addressing climate change without simultaneously advancing gender equity risks perpetuating cycles of inequality and harm. Therefore, policymakers and stakeholders must prioritise intersectional solutions that tackle environmental and gender-based challenges and ensure a safer, more equitable future for all Algerians.

Current Legislation

The existing legislation in Algeria does give equal rights to both men and women. However, according to the 2018 UNO Report on Gender Justice and Equality, in many instances, like marital rape, honour crimes, sex work and anti-prostitution, and adultery, the laws are inadequate or provide minimal protection from gender-based violence. In cases of human trafficking, abortion for rape survivors, domestic violence, exoneration by marriage, the minimum age for marriage, and many others, the legislations address certain gender justice aspects, but the important inequalities remain.

Regarding climate change, while the government has implemented policies like the National Climate Plan and the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution, these legislations do not consider climate change as aggravating gender disparities (Arkeh & Khalil, 2024). Thus, though the legislation provides some protection, there must be more gendered policies and legislation to mitigate the gendered aspects of climate change.

Conclusion

While Algeria has made strides in implementing legislation that promotes gender equality and addresses climate change, significant gaps remain in its effectiveness and scope. Existing legal frameworks often fail to adequately protect women from gender-based violence and entrenched inequalities, particularly in areas such as marital rights, reproductive justice, and protections against human trafficking. Moreover, the intersection of climate change and gender disparities remains primarily overlooked in national policies, exacerbating vulnerabilities for Algerian women in both rural and urban settings. To address these challenges, Algeria must adopt a more comprehensive and intersectional approach that integrates gender-sensitive measures into its climate policies and strengthens the enforcement of gender justice laws. By doing so, the country can mitigate the compounded effects of climate change and gender inequality, paving the way for a more equitable and resilient society.

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8. World Bank Group (2021). Algeria: Climate Report. Climate Change Knowledge Portal. https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/algeria/vulnerability