Gender-inclusive policies in AJK amid growing climate threats stressed

Islamabad:A report on Climate Change Gender Action Plan (CCGAP) for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on women in the region, exposing them to intensified risks related to livelihood security, health, education and personal safety, including an increased likelihood of gender-based violence.

Authored by Ayesha Khan and Huzaifa Khan and published by Centre for Peace, Development, and Reforms (CPDR), the report was unveiled at an event sponsored by Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to the Paris Agreement by promoting inclusive climate resilience.

Ayesha and Huzaifa Khan speaking on the occasion stressed the urgent need for gender-focused policies in AJ&K’s climate strategy, emphasising that gender mainstreaming requires sustained commitment to produce meaningful outcomes. They called for a comprehensive action plan to better equip women in disaster response, especially in light of AJK’s high environmental vulnerability. They pointed out a significant gap in governmental frameworks, which often exclude women from community-level decision-making, limiting effective responses to climate-related crises.

Dr Shafqat Munir Ahmad, Deputy Executive Director, Sustainability and Resilience Programme, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), praised the report’s in-depth gender analysis, particularly its focus on the cryosphere's degradation and the critical water resource challenges facing Kashmir. He also highlighted how the report amplifies the voices of women, linking them with global movements for climate justice and emphasising their role in advancing nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration through adaptive practices.

Prof Shaheen Akhtar from National Defense University noted that the report not only addresses gender disparities in climate resilience but also advocates for women’s active participation in decision-making, which is essential for a more comprehensive and sustainable climate response.

Dr Sheharyar Khan from Iqra University said the report offers strategies to train and empower women to build resilience, ensuring they can effectively cope with climate-related disasters and contribute to strengthening community resilience.Abdur Raziq Khattak, General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, OGDCL, and Irtaza Muhammad, CPDR’s Executive Director, also addressed the gathering.