A Climate Crisis is a Gender Equality Crisis: Life on Small Island States in the Pacific

Jun 4, 2024 | United Nations Population Fund
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The 65 million people living in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

Each and every climate-related disaster - which are becoming stronger and more frequent - poses a risk to people's lives, livelihoods, homes, safety and access to services.

This risk is not gender-neutral. During a crisis, incidences of gender-based violence (GBV) increase, while services, including GBV-support and life-saving maternal and newborn health care are disrupted, at a time when they're most needed.

We see, here in the Pacific, some of the ways that UNFPA is responding in order to protect women and girls living on the climate crisis front line, and the impact on the lives of people who are least responsible for the climate emergency.