Environmental injustice has been closely tied to gender violence for many years, and a new paper from the University of New Mexico (UNM) argues that this connection is only becoming stronger. In their research, they point out that environmental degradation often leaves women with fewer resources and less access to safety, making them more vulnerable to gender-based violence in the form of domestic abuse or sexual assault. Even when these women are able to find shelter or other forms of protection, their lack of access to healthcare or basic amenities can leave them feeling helpless in dangerous situations.

The UNM paper goes on to suggest that governments should pay more attention to the intersections between environmental injustice and gender-based violence by creating targeted initiatives designed to reduce both problems simultaneously. These initiatives could include training local law enforcement on how best handle cases involving both issues as well as investing in programs designed to improve access to clean water and reliable energy sources for impoverished communities. Ultimately, it’s clear that doing nothing about this intersection will only increase the risk posed by both environmental injustice and gender-based violence around the world – a problem which must be addressed urgently before it grows even worse.