The Role Of Women In Shaping The Climate Mobility Agenda

Oct 17, 2023 | Samuel Hall
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“When these environmental shocks happen, men tend to lose hope and you as a woman, you have to be strong for the family because it depends on you. Men also tend to run away from families when situations become tough, so you have to be strong as a woman,” says Mahi*, from Makueni county, Kenya.
Mahi’s story is not hers alone, but that of the many women who are excessively affected by the consequences of climate change. Gender inequality, in fact, manifests itself also during catastrophic weather events, such as droughts and floods, when women are expected to work more as primary caregivers in most contexts. The Global Gender and Climate Alliance and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) note that “there is a direct relationship between gender equality, women’s empowerment, and climate change. Women are disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which could, in turn, exacerbate existing gender disparities.” This is evident in migration contexts where climate change drives men out of their households, leaving women behind facing additional burdens, risks, and exploitation.