Women’s vulnerability in the face of climate change is no coincidence. It is the result of structural inequalities that exist in most societies, writes Najifa Alam Torsa
CLIMATE justice is more than just reducing carbon emissions or promoting clean energy. It is about recognising how climate change affects different communities in unequal ways. It demands fair solutions that consider the needs of those who suffer the most. Among them, women — especially in low-income and marginalised communities — are facing the harshest consequences. Yet their role in climate action remains overlooked. To build a truly just and sustainable future, we must understand why climate justice and gender equality must go hand in hand.
In many parts of the world, women and girls are already burdened by social and economic inequalities. Climate change makes this burden heavier. According to UNICEF, in many low-income countries, women and girls spend up to six hours a day collecting water. As water sources dry up due to droughts and rising temperatures, this daily task becomes even more difficult. In some regions, women must walk longer distances, often through unsafe areas.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that in some communities, climate-related challenges have led to a rise in gender-based violence by up to 30 per cent. When communities face food shortages, crop failures and forced migration, tensions rise. In many cases, this leads to a rise in domestic violence and abuse against women. These issues show clearly that climate change is not only an environmental crisis — it is also deepening social injustice and widening gender gaps.
Women’s vulnerability in the face of climate change is no coincidence. It is the result of structural inequalities that exist in most societies. In rural areas of Bangladesh, across sub-Saharan Africa, and in small island nations, women are primarily responsible for gathering food, fuel and water for their families. When disasters like floods, cyclones, or droughts strike, women are the first to feel the impact. They must work harder to provide basic needs, even as resources become scarcer.
At the same time, women often have fewer rights and less access to land, education, income and decision-making power. This limits their ability to adapt to changing climate conditions. For instance, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that women make up nearly half of the agricultural workforce globally. Yet they own only about 15 per cent of agricultural land. Without land ownership, women are excluded from many forms of government support, such as loans, insurance, or subsidies. They are unable to invest in climate-resilient farming tools or techniques.
Lack of access to credit and finance also prevents women from starting green businesses or adopting eco-friendly technologies. In many cases, even basic tools like improved seeds, irrigation systems, or drought-resistant crops are out of reach. This puts their livelihoods at further risk and leaves their families more exposed to food insecurity. When harvests fail, women are the ones who must find alternative sources of food, often at great personal cost.
Climate change also affects women’s health seriously. As food becomes scarce, women are often the last to eat and the first to go hungry. This leads to malnutrition, anaemia and complications during pregnancy. Poor nutrition weakens immune systems and increases maternal and child mortality. In some communities, extreme weather events have made clean drinking water hard to find, leading to more waterborne diseases. Collecting firewood and water is already physically exhausting work. With climate change, it becomes even more dangerous and harmful to women’s health.
Young girls, too, pay a high price. When families face hardships, daughters are more likely to drop out of school to help with household tasks. Long hours spent fetching water or caring for siblings take away their time for education or skill-building. This traps them in a cycle of poverty and dependence. Without education and opportunities, these girls grow up with fewer chances to escape hardship and make independent decisions.
The emotional and physical burden that climate change places on women is often invisible. Many suffer from chronic pain, fatigue and stress. Carrying heavy water containers over long distances leads to back problems and muscle strain. Working longer hours for fewer returns affects mental health. Yet, these issues receive little attention in climate debates or policymaking spaces.
There is also a clear link between economic stress caused by climate change and rising domestic violence. In many traditional societies, men are seen as the main breadwinners. When crops fail or jobs disappear due to climate shocks, men experience frustration and loss of identity. This sometimes leads to aggression and violence within households. Women, already coping with climate stress, then become victims of this added crisis.
If we want to achieve climate justice, we must put gender equality at the centre of our solutions. Women are not just passive victims of climate change — they are powerful agents of change. Studies show that when women are involved in decision-making, climate policies become more inclusive, responsive and effective. But women’s participation in climate governance remains low. Few women are included in negotiations, community planning, or national climate strategies.
To close this gap, governments must introduce policies that promote women’s leadership in climate action. This includes training programmes, quotas in environmental leadership and financial support for women-led initiatives. Access to land, credit, and climate finance must be made easier for women. They should receive support to adopt climate-smart agriculture, start eco-friendly businesses and build resilient communities.
Investing in time-saving technologies like solar cookers, clean water infrastructure, and energy-efficient tools can also ease women’s workload and open up opportunities for education and employment. Education is one of the most powerful tools to help women adapt to climate change. Learning about sustainable farming, climate science and conservation allows women to develop practical solutions for their communities. Education also improves health, reduces birth rates, and strengthens local economies.
Across the globe, women are already leading the way. In Kenya, Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement planted over 50 million trees to fight deforestation. In India, Vandana Shiva promotes organic farming and seed sovereignty. In The Gambia, Isatou Ceesay trains women to recycle plastic waste into useful goods. In Chad, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim is supporting indigenous women to lead local climate adaptation efforts. In the Philippines, youth activist Marinel Ubaldo campaigns for justice for disaster-hit communities. These women show that local leadership is key to building climate resilience.
Their stories remind us that gender equality is not a separate issue — it is central to climate justice. Without women’s voices, experiences, and leadership, climate solutions will remain incomplete and unequal.
Women are at the frontline of climate change, yet they are often pushed to the margins of climate action. As caregivers, farmers, educators and leaders, their contributions must be recognised and supported. Climate justice cannot be achieved without addressing gender inequality. We need inclusive policies, equal access to resources and meaningful participation for women in climate decisions. A fairer world is only possible when the fight for gender equality is woven into every step of climate action.Ìý
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Najifa Alam Torsa is a graduate of environmental science and engineering at the Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.
