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Why climate change is a gender issue
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Climate change is often referred to as a ‘threat multiplier' because it deepens existing social, political, and economic tensions, particularly in regions that are already grappling with fragility and conflict. Not only does this intensify conflicts worldwide, but it also places an unfair burden on the most vulnerable in our societies, especially women and girls.
“ Women face heightened risks from climate change due to deeply entrenched gender inequalities, which manifest in disparities in information access, mobility, decision-making authority, and resource availability. In times of disaster and climate stress, these inequalities grow, with women less likely to survive and more prone to injury. ”
The aftermath of climate crises often worsens their vulnerability: women and girls frequently find themselves with limited access to essential relief and assistance, jeopardising their ability to recover. This ongoing cycle not only undermines their well-being but also leaves women more susceptible to future disasters, creating a vicious cycle of hardship and inequality.
But while women are often among the hardest hit, they are also uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. From managing natural resources to leading community responses, women hold vital knowledge, skills, and networks that can strengthen climate resilience. Ensuring they are empowered and included in climate action isn’t just a matter of fairness; it’s essential for effective solutions.
The effects of climate change aren’t gender-neutral. In this article, we explore how and why women are often more vulnerable to its impacts and what this means for climate justice.
Gender issues and climate change: a quick overview
“ Climate change is often seen as a universal challenge that affects us all indiscriminately. However, a closer look reveals a significant disparity in how men and women experience and respond to climate-related crises. These gender differences stem not only from economic differences but also from entrenched gender roles and social norms. ”
Yet, despite the disproportionate challenges that women face, they also possess invaluable knowledge and skills that are crucial for climate adaptation and mitigation. Their understanding of resource management and community networking often places them in a unique position to drive change and implement sustainable practices.
Understanding the factors that make climate change a gender issue is important if we are to develop climate change policies and initiatives that are not only effective but also equitable across society.
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Gender issue: poverty and access to resources
The exacerbation of gender issues by climate change highlights an underlying reality: women are already disproportionately affected by poverty and limited access to resources. This pre-existing inequality makes them particularly susceptible to the extreme and volatile conditions brought about by our changing climate - a pattern seen most acutely in the least developed countries.
“ Around 9.2% of the world's population lives below the poverty line. This means that 719 million people live on a daily income of less than 2.15 USD. And a disproportionate portion of those living in poverty are women: 1 in 10 women across the world are living in extreme poverty. ”
A range of structural and societal inequalities contribute to the economic insecurity experienced by many women across the world:
Low wages
Globally, women face a significant gender pay gap, earning on average 24% less than their male counterparts — often for doing the same work. This disparity is compounded by the fact that there are approximately 700 million fewer employed women compared to men, reflecting a persistent gender gap in the workforce.
Lack of employment opportunities
Around 75% of women in developing countries are part of the informal economy — a major driver of financial instability. Without formal contracts or protections, they are more likely to face low pay, exploitation, and lack of legal recourse.
Carer roles
Women are far more likely to carry the burden of childcare, domestic work, and caring for elderly or ill relatives — often without support or recognition. Many juggle these responsibilities alongside paid work. The value of this unpaid care work is estimated at $10.8 trillion globally.
Longer hours
When paid and unpaid labour are combined, women work an average of four years more than men over the course of a lifetime. This workload limits access to rest, education, and advancement.
Barriers to accessing resources
Women frequently face legal and cultural barriers to owning land or accessing credit and technology. Rooted in gender discrimination, these obstacles deny women equal rights and decision-making power needed to build resilience.
Education and empowerment
Young women’s education is often disrupted by poverty, early or forced marriage, or domestic responsibilities — especially in rural areas where schools are scarce. Ensuring access to quality education is a fundamental human right and key to climate resilience.
Societal expectations and mobility
In many cultures, gender stereotypes and social norms restrict women’s mobility and workforce participation. This limits their ability to adapt, relocate, or access aid during crises.
How does climate change impact women?
Understanding these underlying inequalities helps explain why women are more exposed to the risks of climate change, but it’s in the everyday consequences that the full picture comes into view. From food insecurity to the threat of violence, the impacts are often most severe for those already stretched thin by poverty, care work, or a lack of rights and resources.
In this section, we explore how climate change deepens these inequalities in practical, often life-threatening ways and why gender must be at the heart of climate adaptation and resilience planning.
For women in developing countries, agriculture is often not just a source of income, it's a lifeline. They make up a large proportion of the agricultural workforce and are primarily responsible for household food production and preparation. The increasing extremes of climate change, such as severe droughts and unpredictable weather patterns, pose direct threats to their ability to grow crops, raise animals, and ensure their families are fed. These challenges not only undermine women’s livelihoods and food security but also have significant repercussions for the broader community that relies on their labour and care.
With the responsibility of water collection often falling on women, decreasing water availability means increased labour and risks. Longer treks for water not only add a physical burden but also expose women to dangers, including heightened risks of gender-based violence.
Climate change brings a host of health risks, and for women, many of these are tied to sexual and reproductive health. In places where accessing healthcare is already difficult, climate-related disruptions make things even harder. Extreme weather events can shut down clinics, cut off supply chains, and reduce access to maternal care, putting both women and their children at greater risk.
In some communities, climate-related pressures such as displacement, food insecurity, and poverty can heighten the risk of harmful practices like female genital mutilation, as protective systems break down and families revert to traditional rites in the face of uncertainty and stress. These practices not only endanger health and autonomy, they also represent violations of women’s rights, made worse by climate-related instability. In many contexts, female genital mutilation is closely linked to other forms of gender-based harm, such as forced marriage or social exclusion, which may also intensify during climate-related crises.
When climate change damages key industries like agriculture and tourism, it hits women especially hard. These sectors often employ large numbers of women, and when jobs disappear, they’re left with few alternatives. With fewer job opportunities and persistent pay disparities, women earn less than men on average, making them more likely to fall into poverty and struggle to recover after climate-related economic shocks.
Women are often more likely to be displaced during climate-related disasters. The UN estimated that 80% of those displaced by climate change are women. This displacement disrupts their lives significantly and makes them vulnerable to exploitation. In settings like refugee camps, women face additional challenges, including the lack of safe shelter and proper sanitation, and an increased threat of sexual violence.
Girls are often the first to suffer in terms of education when families face climate-related difficulties. Whether due to displacement or because their labour is required at home, interruptions in education limit their future opportunities and economic empowerment. In some cases, girls are withdrawn from school and married off as child brides, as families facing poverty and instability see early marriage as a form of economic survival — a practice that not only undermines their potential but also violates girls’ rights to education, autonomy, and a safe childhood.
The aftermath of climate disasters sees a disturbing rise in gender-based violence. Research shows that women and girls are 14 times more likely to be harmed during a disaster, including heightened risks of intimate partner violence, as economic stress, displacement, and breakdowns in community protection systems take hold.
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These challenges aren't theoretical, they're playing out in real time across the world. One striking example comes from Sub-Saharan Africa, where climate change is already having a profound impact on women’s daily lives. By looking at this region more closely, we can see how gender inequality and environmental stress collide, and why empowering women must be central to climate adaptation efforts.
Case study: the impact of drought in Sub-Saharan Africa
In the rural regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in Kenya, communities are increasingly facing the harsh realities of climate change. Prolonged droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, creating crises that deeply affect daily life, especially for women.
As the primary caretakers of water and food in their families, women feel the impact of these environmental changes most acutely. The scarcity of water has become a pressing issue, with traditional sources such as rivers and wells running dry. This means women and adolescent girls must travel much longer distances to find water, adding hours to their daily responsibilities. These journeys aren’t just exhausting; they also carry serious risks, including the threat of harassment or violence on remote paths.
At the same time, crop failures caused by ongoing droughts have made it harder for women to feed their families. As harvests shrink, so do food supplies, and the pressure on women to stretch limited resources only grows. The effects don’t stop there: with more help needed at home, families often pull girls, living in affected regions, out of school to collect water or care for siblings. In some cases, prolonged economic hardship also increases the risk of child marriage, as families seek ways to cope.
These disruptions not only affect girls’ immediate well-being but also limit their future opportunities and reinforce cycles of inequality. The result is a vicious cycle - each drought chips away at the community’s ability to recover, and women are left shouldering the greatest burden.
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Not all women are affected equally
While the Sub-Saharan Africa example highlights how climate stress and gender inequality intersect, it’s important to recognise that not all women face the same risks. Climate change affects women differently depending on their identity, status, and context. Factors like race, age, disability, income, sexual orientation, and indigenous status can compound existing gender inequalities, making some women even more vulnerable than others.
For example, indigenous women often face triple marginalisation, as women, as members of marginalised ethnic groups, and as communities living on climate-sensitive land. In many regions, they’re also the protectors of biodiversity and traditional ecological knowledge, yet rarely have a seat at the decision-making table.
Similarly, disabled women and older women may face greater challenges evacuating during disasters, accessing healthcare, or securing aid, especially in rural or poorly resourced areas. In many regions where rights are restricted, LGBTQ+ women and people of other gender identities also face systemic discrimination that limits their access to support, safety, and essential services during times of crisis.
“ Understanding these intersecting layers of disadvantage is essential if climate policies are to be truly inclusive and to avoid reinforcing patterns of unequal treatment across different gender identities, backgrounds, and abilities. An intersectional approach ensures that the needs of the most at-risk groups, across different gender identities, backgrounds, and abilities, are not overlooked and that solutions are designed with equity at their core. ”
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Women as agents of change in climate change
“ Women may be disproportionately affected by climate change, but they’re also leading some of the most powerful solutions. Their experiences and perspectives - particularly those from marginalised communities - are essential to designing and delivering climate strategies that work. ”
Why? Because in many parts of the world, women are closely connected to the land and natural resources, often responsible for collecting water, growing food, and sourcing fuel for their households. This daily interaction fosters a deep, practical understanding of the environment and how to care for it. It’s this connection that places women in a powerful position to lead on sustainable resource management and strengthen climate resilience at the community level.
And the data backs this up. According to the United Nations, involving women in environmental decision-making leads to more effective climate action. Studies show that when women help manage natural resources, sustainability outcomes improve.
Not only that, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that if women had the same access to agricultural resources as men, farm yields could rise by 20 to 30%, potentially lifting 100–150 million people out of hunger. This highlights how efforts to achieve gender equality aren't just about social justice, they’re a critical part of building effective climate solutions.
The value women bring to climate mitigation and adaptation is gaining recognition globally. From grassroots leadership to international policy roles, women are making a measurable difference. Let’s take a look at some of the initiatives that are harnessing their skills and knowledge, and why putting women at the centre of climate action is more important than ever:
The Women's Environment Program in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Women's Environmental Programme (WEP) works to promote sustainable development by empowering women to take an active role in environmental protection. The initiative involves women in tree planting, waste recycling, and environmental education projects. By supporting women to lead in these areas, WEP not only tackles environmental issues but also strengthens community resilience and supports local livelihoods.
In Nigeria, the Women's Environmental Programme (WEP) works to promote sustainable development by empowering women to take an active role in environmental protection. The initiative involves women in tree planting, waste recycling, and environmental education projects. By supporting women to lead in these areas, WEP not only tackles environmental issues but also strengthens community resilience and supports local livelihoods.
Solar power projects in rural Guatemala
In rural Guatemala, women-led cooperatives are at the forefront of implementing solar power projects. They are involved in installing solar panels and educating locals on maintenance, which not only ensures access to clean energy but also enhances women's technical skills and leadership capacities.
In rural Guatemala, women-led cooperatives are at the forefront of implementing solar power projects. They are involved in installing solar panels and educating locals on maintenance, which not only ensures access to clean energy but also enhances women's technical skills and leadership capacities.
Integrated farming systems in Vietnam
Vietnamese women are spearheading integrated farming systems that combine crop cultivation with livestock raising and aquaculture, adapting to changing environmental conditions. These sustainable practices not only enhance food security but also reduce environmental impacts, showcasing women's ingenuity in resource management.
Vietnamese women are spearheading integrated farming systems that combine crop cultivation with livestock raising and aquaculture, adapting to changing environmental conditions. These sustainable practices not only enhance food security but also reduce environmental impacts, showcasing women's ingenuity in resource management.
Rainwater harvesting in Jordan
In Jordan, women are leading efforts in rainwater harvesting, a vital practice in a region facing severe water scarcity. These projects involve collecting and storing rainwater for household and agricultural use, significantly improving water availability and reducing dependency on scarce groundwater.
In Jordan, women are leading efforts in rainwater harvesting, a vital practice in a region facing severe water scarcity. These projects involve collecting and storing rainwater for household and agricultural use, significantly improving water availability and reducing dependency on scarce groundwater.
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Gender equality in climate policy: progress and gaps
Yet, while there’s growing awareness of the gendered impacts of climate change and the importance of involving women in solutions, many national and international climate strategies still fail to fully integrate gender considerations. Too often, women are left out of decision-making processes due to entrenched gender bias, and policies overlook the unique risks and contributions linked to gender roles, especially in lower-income or rural communities.
At the global level, there have been some important steps forward - recognising that gender equality and women’s participation are essential to achieving the UN’s global goals, including those on climate action, education, and equity. The UNFCCC Gender Action Plan, adopted at COP25 and reaffirmed at subsequent climate summits, aims to increase women’s participation in climate policy and ensure that gender is mainstreamed across adaptation and mitigation strategies. Similarly, SDG 5 (gender equality) is closely tied to climate goals through links to health, poverty, food security, and education.
But implementation remains uneven. A UN Women report found that fewer than 40% of national climate policies explicitly address gender. In many countries, national statistics on climate impacts still fail to capture gender-specific risks and vulnerabilities, making it harder to design truly inclusive policies. And even where gender is mentioned, it’s often limited to broad statements rather than concrete actions, funding, or accountability measures.
“ Without targeted support - including access to land, finance, and leadership roles - women will continue to be excluded from climate decision-making, while preferential treatment for men in many systems goes unchallenged. And without their voices, climate solutions risk being less effective, less inclusive, and ultimately less sustainable. ”
Climate funding often overlooks women
Of course, even the best policies mean little without funding, and this is where another gap becomes clear. Despite growing recognition of women’s role in climate action, very little climate finance actually reaches women-led initiatives or addresses their specific needs. This gap undermines both gender equality and the effectiveness of climate strategies.
“ Much of the funding still flows to large-scale infrastructure or national-level projects, with little involvement from women at the community level, where much of the day-to-day adaptation work is happening. ”
Women in rural and marginalised communities, in particular, often face steep barriers to accessing funding. These include:
- A lack of formal land ownership, which limits access to credit or insurance
- Limited financial literacy or digital access to apply for grants or loans
- Exclusion from local or national decision-making processes
Redirecting even a small share of climate finance to grassroots women’s groups could have an outsized impact, helping scale local solutions, improve community resilience, and support sustainable livelihoods.
“ If we want climate finance to be fair and effective, it must be gender-responsive, not just in rhetoric, but in how funds are designed, delivered, and monitored. ”
Looking forward
The evidence is clear: climate change doesn’t affect everyone equally. It intensifies existing inequalities, and for women, especially those living in poverty or marginalised communities, the risks are disproportionately high. From increased unpaid labour and food insecurity to heightened exposure to violence and health risks, the gendered impacts of climate change are real, measurable, and urgent - and a reminder that not all people are treated equally when crisis strikes.
But women aren’t just passive victims of this crisis, they’re also powerful agents of change. Around the world, women are leading the charge in sustainable farming, water conservation, clean energy, and climate education. Their knowledge, skills, and leadership are essential to building resilient communities and effective climate strategies.
“ If we want to tackle climate change in a way that is both effective and fair, we must work to achieve gender justice and equality, making it central to every climate policy, investment, and action. ”
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What about Greenly?
At Greenly, we understand that climate justice and carbon reduction aren’t separate conversations; they go hand in hand. Our carbon management solutions are designed to help businesses take meaningful climate action that supports broader equity goals, from reducing emissions to building more sustainable supply chains.
Here’s how we can help:
- Streamlined carbon accounting: Our platform helps your company measure Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in line with international standards, offering clear insights into where your carbon impact lies.
- Actionable decarbonisation plans: We don’t just track emissions, we provide tailored, science-based strategies to reduce them, helping your business align with net-zero targets.
- Supply chain visibility: Our tools help you evaluate and engage your suppliers to improve sustainability throughout your value chain.
- Support for climate reporting: From CSRD and TCFD to CDP and B Corp, we support a wide range of regulatory and voluntary frameworks, making compliance more transparent.
- Expert guidance, every step of the way: Our team of climate experts will work with you to identify high-impact actions and ensure your sustainability strategy delivers long-term value.
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