Climate change and gender equality: intersecting challenges and opportunities

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OPINION

By Dr Joyce Nalunga Birimumaaso

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we must focus on climate change and gender equality which are the two of the most pressing global issues of our time. While climate change affects everyone, its impacts are not felt equally. Women, particularly those in developing countries, often bear a disproportionate burden due to existing social, economic, and political inequalities.

At the same time, women play a crucial role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, making gender equality essential for effective climate action. This article explores the intersection of climate change and gender equality, highlighting key challenges, opportunities, and the need for gender-responsive climate policies.

The gendered impact of climate change includes the Increased vulnerability of Women. Women are more vulnerable to climate change due to:

Economic inequality: Women, especially in rural areas, rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. Climate-induced droughts, floods, and changing weather patterns threaten agriculture, water supply, and food security. Since women often lack access to land ownership and financial resources, recovering from climate shocks is more difficult for them.

Health risks: Climate change exacerbates health risks for women. Increased temperatures and extreme weather events heighten the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Pregnant women are particularly at risk during disasters due to limited access to maternal healthcare.

Workload and care burdens: Climate change intensifies women's unpaid labour. In many communities, women and girls are responsible for collecting water and firewood. As resources become scarce, they must travel longer distances, reducing time for education, employment, or participation in decision-making.

Gender-Based Violence: Climate-related displacement and economic stress can lead to increased domestic violence, exploitation, and trafficking. In refugee camps and disaster-stricken areas, women face heightened risks of sexual violence.

Women have a critical role in climate Solutions. Despite their vulnerability, women are not just victims of climate change—they are also powerful agents of change. Their traditional knowledge, leadership in communities, and role in resource management make them key contributors to climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Sustainable agriculture: Women farmers play a vital role in food production. When given access to land, credit, and technology, they can implement sustainable farming practices that enhance climate resilience.

Renewable energy and innovation: Women entrepreneurs are driving renewable energy initiatives, especially in rural areas. Programs that empower women with clean energy technologies, such as solar cook stoves and biogas, reduce carbon emissions and improve health outcomes.

Disaster response and community leadership: Women often lead grassroots disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Their involvement in local governance and decision-making enhances the effectiveness of climate policies.

The Need for Gender-Responsive Climate Policies to address climate change effectively, gender equality must be integrated into climate policies and programs. Some key recommendations include: Ensuring Women's participation in climate governance. Women must be included in national and international climate negotiations.

Also, investing in Gender-Responsive Climate Finance: Climate funds should prioritize projects that empower women and address gender-specific vulnerabilities. There is a need to improve access to education and training. Climate education and skills training for women can enhance their participation in green jobs, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy sectors. We ought to Strengthen Legal and Policy Frameworks. Notably, government should implement laws that promote women's land rights, access to resources, and protection from climate-induced displacement.

Climate change and gender equality are deeply interconnected. Addressing one without considering the other can lead to ineffective solutions and greater social injustices. By recognizing women as key stakeholders in climate action and ensuring gender-responsive policies, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Achieving climate justice requires empowering women as leaders, decision-makers, and innovators in the fight against climate change.

The writer is a senior Advocate, president of female Lawyers network