Celebrating Achievements, Acknowledging Inequalities
As we celebrate Women’s month this August, we commemorate all that women have achieved thus far, at the same time, we acknowledge that the journey to equality is far from over. As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, it is imperative to acknowledge the fact that not everyone is impacted in the same way nor does everyone have access to the same resources. Some people are impacted by it more severely than other. Climate change is in fact not gender neutral. A study conducted by the UNDP found that women make up 80% of people displaced by climate change (Habtezion, 2016).
Rural Women on the Front Lines
Women, particularly women living in rural areas, are on the front lines of the climate crisis. Women in rural areas have a direct relationship with natural resources and local ecosystems and when these are threatened, it impacts their livelihoods. Many of these women travel daily to procure water and firewood, forage for or grow food, and care for livestock as caretakers of their families and communities. When climate change impacts, such as drought, worsen, women must work harder and longer, travel further, and navigate more obstacles in order to provide for their families. Most small- scale farmers are women and climatic alterations have caused yields to decrease leading to loss of income for these women. This is exacerbated by the fact that female farmers have limited access to credit, land ownership and technology that could assist them to adapt (Woo ji, 2023). Women’s economic vulnerability is amplified by low labor‑force participation and reliance on informal, climate‑sensitive jobs, making them more prone to poverty and disaster impacts (Zack, 2022). When extreme events strike, women and children are up to 14 times more likely to die and constitute four‑fifths of climate‑displaced populations (Habtezion, 2016; United Nations ,2022) . Yet they hold limited land, credit and decision‑making power, marginalising them from green transition (Thompson, 2023).
Women’s Role in Sustainability and Climate Solutions
Women play a crucial role in sustainability, especially in African and rural contexts. They are responsible for up to 80% of food production in some developing regions, driving sustainable agriculture, protecting biodiversity, and managing natural resources for their families and communities. Women often pioneer climate adaptation strategies, such as using drought-resistant crops and leading reforestation or water management initiatives. Their involvement enhances community resilience and leads to stronger environmental outcomes – countries with more women in decision-making roles tend to adopt more ambitious and effective climate policies. Despite often lacking visibility and support, women’s leadership is essential for a sustainable future (United Nations ,2022).
Barriers Limiting Women’s Climate Leadership
Despite their pivotal contributions, women face critical gaps that hinder their ability to address climate change effectively. They have limited land ownership – making up only a small fraction of agricultural landholders despite producing the majority of food in many regions. Decision-making power is also restricted; women are underrepresented in climate-related policy bodies and often excluded from shaping strategies and responses. Additionally, women lack access to climate finance, credit, education, technology, and other essential resources. These systemic barriers not only increase vulnerability to climate impacts but also constrain women’s leadership and innovation in driving sustainable solutions (United Nations ,2022; Woo ji, 2023; Zack, 2022).
Pathways for Gender-Responsive Climate Action
To address the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, urgent action is needed to ensure equitable access to resources such as land, credit, technology, and climate finance. Strengthening women’s land rights and investing in education and training can boost resilience and productivity. Women must be given central roles in decision-making at all levels, from local to global climate policy, with gender-responsive approaches integrated into all interventions. It is critical to dismantle discriminatory laws and practices, support women’s economic empowerment in sustainability sectors, and value their unpaid care, ecological knowledge, and leadership in resource management. Data-driven strategies should guide policy and programming, centering the experiences of marginalised women, especially those in Indigenous and rural communities. Ultimately, recognising women’s contributions and removing barriers to their participation is fundamental to effective climate action and sustainability. A transformative, inclusive approach will not only build resilience but also drive meaningful climate solutions worldwide (Habtezion, 2016; United Nations ,2022).
References:
Habtezion, S. (2016). Gender and Climate Change. United Nations Development Programme: New York.
Thompson, A. (2023). 5 ways climate change disproportionately impacts women. Available at: https://www.technoserve.org/blog/5-climate-change-impacts-women/ [Accessed 13 Aug. 2025].
United Nations. (2022). Why women are key to climate action. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/women [Accessed 13 Aug. 2025].
Woo ji, S. (2023). Ecofeminism: Understanding the connection between gender and the climate crisis. Available at: https://blog.pachamama.org/ecofeminism?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Dynamic+Campaign&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_tgt=dsa-19959388920&hsa_grp=154399889707&hsa_src=g&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_mt=&hsa_ver=3&hsa_ad=665945932734&hsa_acc=3809916187&hsa_kw=&hsa_cam=20377498982&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20377498982&gbraid=0AAAAADrdxaoLoCJ8uc1TOITKdyC66Yd9h&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqebEBhD9ARIsAFZMbfyFeudGEf_EO50vQagPcAmiHLrCVS0j6a0wCShJNAbbFpyYtWFuBRUaAuppEALw_wcB [Accessed 13 August 2025].
Zack, G. (2022). 5 facts about gender equality and climate change. Available at: https://unfoundation.org/blog/post/five-facts-about-gender-equality-and-climate-change/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19548803646&gbraid=0AAAAAD9kiAcpSAEwBJfilvVluFGI4uSNi&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqebEBhD9ARIsAFZMbfyasmY1Oa5_VP9ybxgPmeZ5146cwhmoMTg-Shtym3w689vK-LDYZ6AaAkMUEALw_wcB [Accessed 13 Aug. 2025].
Author: Wassila Ibrahim
Research Fellow
