Between 2022 and 2024, women have continued to face disproportionate vulnerabilities due to climate change, influenced by a combination of social, economic, and cultural factors  as reported by UNEP and  Intergovernmental panal on climate change(IPCC). As of 2024 ,70% of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty globally are women, and in urban areas, 40% of the poorest households are headed by women according to world bank .Despite contributing 50-80% of the world’s food, women own less than 10% of the land according to UN women report . In rural areas, they are heavily dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods, taking on the primary responsibility for securing water, energy, and food. Yet, they often lack control over environmental resources and have minimal say in decision-making, increasing their vulnerability to climate risks and they often lack the means and opportunities to adapt when climate change disrupts their livelihoods. This vulnerability is exacerbated by socio-cultural norms that restrict their mobility and  making it harder for women to respond effectively to climate challenges.

However, women are not just passive victims of climate change they are also powerful agents of change. For generations, women have cultivated skills in areas such as water management, food preservation, and disaster mitigation. Their local knowledge and experience, particularly in rural and indigenous communities, are invaluable assets in building resilience to climate change. By 2024, women continue to apply these skills, especially in rural regions where their expertise helps communities mitigate the impacts of climate change. In many parts of Africa elderly women are respected as keepers of traditional knowledge on early warning signs and disaster preparedness. This wisdom, passed down through generations, is crucial for building climate resilience in vulnerable communities.  By involving women in the development of adaptation strategies and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making, we can create more effective and sustainable solutions to climate challenges.

To fully harness the potential of women in climate adaptation, it is crucial to address gender-specific needs and remove barriers to their participation. This includes integrating gender perspectives into national policies and ensuring that women have access to resources, education, and technology. Women should be actively involved in climate policy discussions at both local and national levels, with their needs reflected in funding and resource allocation for climate projects. By intergrating gender perspectives into climate policies ,supporting women’s leadership and recognizing their critical role in climate resilience as highlighted by UNFCCC(2923),we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all .

The author, Ms. Sarah KIhembo is an Advocacy Officer Women on Environmental Mission (Wem) kihembosarah52@gmail.com