Gender dimensions of plastic and POPs pollution in India. Tracing impacts across the plastics value chain

Summary

This report investigates the gendered impacts of plastic and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) pollution across the plastics lifecycle in India. It highlights how women, particularly those from marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by plastic and chemical exposures due to both biological and socioeconomic factors. From production to consumption and waste management, gendered labor roles and societal expectations result in unequal exposure to hazardous substances, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals and microplastics. The report synthesizes evidence on health risks such as reproductive disorders, cancer, and transgenerational impacts, and emphasizes the vulnerability of women during hormonally active life stages. It also examines policy gaps, noting the absence of gender-sensitive frameworks in India’s plastic and chemical regulations. Drawing on international policy developments, the report advocates gender mainstreaming in environmental governance and offers actionable recommendations to improve occupational health, enhance data collection, and promote inclusive decision-making. By centering gender in the discourse on plastic and POPs pollution, the report aims to support equitable and effective responses to environmental health challenges in India.