Lessons to Advance Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Through Climate Action

Jan 29, 2024 | International Development Research Centre
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Climate change remains one of the major challenges of our time, with countries in the Global South being the most affected. Emerging research shows that climate change affects diverse groups, including women, in distinct ways.  

In arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya, for instance, severe drought forces pastoralist women and girls to travel longer distances in search of water and firewood. This exposes them to increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence. In addition, the loss of livestock and other pastoral sources of livelihoods, due to frequent droughts, contributes to negative coping mechanisms, such as child marriages in exchange for livestock.  

This reality calls for a variety of actions tailored to the needs and interests of diverse groups of women to achieve just and sustainable development. Research and action for effective climate solutions requires the engagement of diverse members of vulnerable communities. These individuals can be engaged to design the solutions that will impact their lives. Advances are being made to strengthen engagement in climate research and action, but the rate of progress has been slow across the world.