Climate Change Has a Woman’s Face

University: Vienna

Abstract

Students will examine how climate change disproportionately affects women and girls.
A practical country case-study exercise helps them identify existing gender inequalities and explore how climate change can intensify those inequalities .
To reinforce their learning, they will conduct a practical case study analysis of selected countries of their choice.

General Information

Teaching unit	Details
Overall Seminar Theme	Climate Change Has a Woman’s Face. The lecture will focus on the gendered impacts of climate change, the intersectionality of gender and environmental injustice, and the need for gender-responsive climate action.
Module / Program Context	A faith-based educational seminar on climate justice and gender equality, integrating Biblical teachings of stewardship with the gendered impacts of climate change and sustainable development (SDG 13 & SDG 5).
Session Focus	Students will examine how climate change disproportionately affects women and girls. A practical country case-study exercise helps them identify existing gender inequalities and explore how climate change can intensify those inequalities . To reinforce their learning, they will conduct a practical case study analysis of selected countries of their choice.
Target Group	Religion Teachers in training and Religion Teachers (post-obligatory studies) especially those in diverse classroom contexts where students from different cultural and religious traditions coexist.
Relevance to Religions4Ecology (Relation to interreligious and environmental education)	While faith has sometimes been misused to oppress women and exploit the environment, this seminar seeks to reclaim Biblical stewardship rooted in Genesis, to show that care for creation and gender equality are inseparable. It demonstrates that faith traditions share a moral call to protect the vulnerable and the earth, inspired by Biblical women leaders like Deborah and Esther who exemplified great leadership,wisdom, courage, and justice.
Key guiding Question:	How does climate change disproportionately affect women and girls, and what must we do to address this gender injustice?

Objectives and classification

Aspect	Implementation in context
Learning Objectives	The main objectives of this lecture is for learners to Understand the Biblical Foundation for Environmental Stewardship Define Climate Change and Key International Frameworks Apply the Concept of Intersectionality to Climate Change Analyze the Gendered Impacts of Climate Change Connect Climate Action with Gender Equality (SDG 13 & SDG 5) Articulate Why Gender Injustice in Climate Crisis Must Be Addressed Develop Practical Solutions for Gendered Climate Impacts
Competencies Developed	Subject-specific – students identify gendered climate impacts, explain intersectionality and connect faith with climate justice. Ethics-specific – students reflect on vulnerability, inequality, stewardship and their own individual responsibility in communities. Methodological – learners research on a country in the Global South of their choice compare social and environmental factors to the country they are living in now (Global North), work collaboratively to present findings.
Relation to Curriculum	The seminar intersects Environmental Education, Gender Studies, Religious Education, and SDG frameworks (Climate Action and Gender Equality). It will promote interdisciplinary learning on faith, justice, and sustainability.
Session Plan	Recommended 105 minutes Opening – 10 minutes – Introduce guiding questions and invite students to list some ways climate change can affect their everyday life. Faith and stewardship – 15 minutes – Explore biblical stewardship framing and connecting care for God’s creation with justice. Input – 15 minutes – Introduce climate change, gendered impacts, intersectionality, SDG 5 and 13. You can also share the case studies of Karamoja, Uganda or case studies from the urban area. Country case study – 30 minutes – Small groups select a country in the Global South and analyze existing gender inequalities and how climate impacts can exacerbate them. Group presentations – 20 minutes – Groups present findings and possible responses. Reflection and action – 15 minutes – Return to the guiding questions and identify relevant practical actions.
Content Introduction to climate change from a lens of gender and faith. Method	Structured dialogue, breakout groups and presentations. Activity A – Climate through a gender lens When a climate-related disaster occurs, does everyone experience it the same way? Students can now discuss who has different access to money, land, mobility, information, decision-making, health services and safety. The lecturer can then introduce intersectionality as a way of examining how different forms of inequality overlap. Activity B – Country case study Each group selects a country. They identify A relevant climate-related hazard Existing gender inequalities How climate impact can deepen these inequalities Who is most vulnerable and why Two practical, gender-responsive responses Activity C – Faith Students reflect on the role of faith in responding to climate and gender justice. Use Deborah and Esther as Biblical examples of women in the submitted materials, associated with leadership, courage, wisdom and justice. They can then discuss how leadership for justice can look like today.
Social Form	Small work groups, presentations and whole class dialogue.

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