Women as Actors of Change: Climate, Peace, and Security in Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher: CGIAR
Author(s): Palou Zuniga and Madurga Lopez
Date: 2025
Topics: Gender
Key Messages
The interconnections between gender, climate, and security in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are underexplored, though critical. Climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups such as women, children, youth, individuals with disabilities and indigenous people.
Women are critical first responders during disasters and essential to building community resilience. Their role in managing natural resources and responding to crises makes them key players in fostering social cohesion, peace, and climate action.
The region has the largest gender gap in food insecurity, affecting women disproportionately. Climaterelated food insecurity exacerbates conflicts over scarce natural resources, heightening tensions within households and communities.
Climate-related human mobility poses specific risks for women, including increased exposure to gender-based violence and economic insecurity. However, women also play a critical role in building resilience through remittances and community engagement in both host and local communities.
Despite their crucial roles, women remain largely excluded from formal governance structures that dictate climate policies and natural resource management, limiting their capacity to influence vital decisions related to climate security.
Peace-responsive climate-smart agriculture strategies present opportunities to enhance women’s leadership and economic agency, contributing to environmental sustainability, social stability and gender equity.