Teaching materials on gender and climate justice for secondary levels I and II

Characteristics such as gender have an influence on the way in which the effects of climate change are experienced. For example, a much higher proportion of women in Africa work in the agricultural sector and therefore suffer from the increased occurrence of droughts, flooding or cyclones in the form of crop losses. This and other connections between climate and gender equality are examined in the module.

Worksheets and background text

Our teaching materials consist of a comprehensive introductory text, worksheets with tasks and questions, a role model showing options of agency and a project example from Africa. Thanks to the modules, teachers can easily plan lessons regarding the topics.

The modules can be used in various situations. Since they contain further information and links, they help students to research more on the specific topic independently.

Recommended subjects:

• English
• Social and political sciences
• Geography
• Natural sciences

But all teaching materials can be used interdisciplinary, too.

Introductory text (excerpt from the module)

Gender, sex, and gender equity

In English, a distinction is made between biological sex and gender as a social construct. The term gender focuses on a person’s perceptions and social experience, while the term sex refers to the biological sex assigned to a person at birth based on certain physical characteristics.

Sex roles are associated with the concept of gender, and are linked to society’s expectations for behaviors that are attributed to the respective sex and for the roles members of each sex are expected to play. Such social and cultural expectations are placed on people at birth, and they are reflected in legal and ethical norms and values. These roles can change over time and vary both within a society and between different societies.

Gender equity means that all people in a society, regardless of sex or gender identity, enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and resources. This is achieved by eliminating discrimination and inequalities based on sex or gender identity, so that people with diverse gender identities enjoy the same opportunities and access in every area of life. It also requires overcoming gender stereotypes and promoting gender diversity at every level of society.

The aim is to enable all people – whatever their gender identity – to live their lives as they see fit, for example, by providing necessary resources. Gender identity should not have a significant impact on a person’s life, in society or in terms of the law. Gender competence refers to the ability to recognize aspects of gender in every context and to act in a gender-sensitive way.

Climate justice is a concept and a movement that addresses the unequal social, economic, and health effects of climate change and their diverse effects on different population groups. The aim is not only to reduce inequality, but also to mitigate the causes of climate change and develop strategies for adapting to its consequences…

Download the module to read the full text and get access to the worksheets.