The Inequality of Climate Change

Abstract: The world collectively stands before an environmental crisis that will further challenge overcoming inequalities and poverty. The purpose of this study is to trace and explain the relationship between climate change and increased violence against women. By studying the case of the South African drought crisis in relation to the increased violence against women, the study sets out to explain the relationship by conducting a within-case analysis by applying Jacqui True’s theory “The Political Economy of Violence Against Women”. After having constructed the hypotheses based on three main mechanisms; economic stress; toxic masculinities and political response, empirical evidence to support, and contest, the hypotheses are found. The findings of the hypotheses are further analysed based on a pre-drought and post-drought comparison that exposes what prerequisites enable drought to have a disproportionate effect on women. Lastly, it is concluded that drought has affected the increased violence against women by exacerbating existing structures that are discriminating towards women.