hile climate change is a global issue, its impacts vary significantly across different segments of the society, especially with regard to gender equity. In this context, conventional social norms combine with environmental degradation to increase women’s vulnerability. Pakistan has two dubious distinctions: it is consistently rated as one of the countries most susceptible to climate-related crises; and it is the second worst performing country on the gender parity index. These two factors act in a vicious cycle to reinforce each other’s impact.

In rural Pakistan, women are the backbone of the agricultural sector, performing important roles in sowing, harvesting and livestock management. More than 60 percent of Pakistani women are engaged in agriculture, directly or indirectly. Extended droughts, unpredictable rainfall and flooding diminish agricultural output. When crops fail, men can shift to non-farming employment in nearby towns or move to cities in search of a job. This leaves women and children struggling economically. But this is a scenario for the households where they are men. Women-headed households suffer even more. The women not only encounter unemployment but also face heightened pressure to secure food and water for their families, greatly increasing their workloads.

Climate-driven disasters frequently cause migration. Displaced women often find themselves in shabby settlements, exposed to heightened risks of violence, exploitation and abuse. Studies following the catastrophic floods of 2022 in Pakistan revealed disturbing trends in gender-based violence, with shelters and temporary housing facilities ill-equipped to protect vulnerable populations. Access to healthcare and maternal services—already scarce—becomes even more restricted during such crises, disproportionately impacting women and girls. This compounds the public health emergency precipitated by climate change, turning an environmental issue into a humanitarian crisis.

Education, a crucial driver of women’s empowerment, suffers immensely during climate crises. Many families facing economic constraints or displacement due to climate events tend to prioritise sons’ education, pulling daughters out of school to assist with domestic chores or to enter early marriages. UNICEF reports indicate a spike in child marriages following natural disasters, such as floods or droughts, as parents perceive early marriage as a coping mechanism to reduce economic burden. Consequently, climate change indirectly curtails educational opportunities for girls, perpetuating cycles of poverty and gender inequality.

Water scarcity, a direct result of climate change, highlights significant gender inequalities. Women and young girls, who are traditionally responsible for collecting water, now must travel longer distances as sources diminish or become polluted. This responsibility costs precious hours each day that could be allocated to education or income-generating pursuits. The health risks are serious; transporting heavy water containers over long distances can be particularly harmful to pregnant women. Moreover, inadequate sanitation and hygiene worsen health problems for women, further deteriorating their quality of life.

At the policy level, a lack of gender-sensitive approaches to climate change exacerbates the marginalisation of women’s issues. Climate policies frequently overlook the unique vulnerabilities and societal roles of women, missing out on their valuable contributions to resilience-building and sustainable environmental management. Women’s deep understanding of natural resource management and sustainable agriculture is often left unutilised because they are excluded from decision-making roles. By incorporating women’s viewpoints into climate strategies, we can promote gender equity while also boosting community resilience as a whole.

Women’s restricted access to resources like land, credit and community decision-making also hampers their capacity to adapt to climate change effectively. In Pakistan, land ownership is predominantly male; less than 2 percent of women own land. This significantly limits their ability to secure loans and access crucial agricultural inputs necessary for adapting to climate impacts. This financial exclusion hinders women’s investments in climate-resilient technologies and diversification of their economic activities, making them more vulnerable to climate shocks.

Acknowledging gender-specific effects of climate change uncovers new opportunities too. By implementing targeted policies to empower women, their significant contributions as catalysts for change in environmental stewardship and community resilience can be enhanced. For instance, some NGOs have shown that equipping women with training in climate-smart agricultural methods or offering access to microcredit programmes not only improves their economic standing but also plays a crucial role in community-level climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

Tackling climate change in Pakistan necessitates a gender-focused approach. Policymakers should emphasise women’s involvement in environmental governance, enhance their access to productive resources and integrate gender-sensitive actions into disaster preparedness and response plans. Prioritising investment in women’s education, healthcare and economic empowerment is essential for any sustainable climate adaptation strategy.

Pakistan’s experience clearly demonstrates how climate change worsens existing gender inequalities, transforming environmental crises into profoundly personal issues for millions of women. Only by directly confronting these inequalities can Pakistan—and countries like it—create truly resilient communities that are equipped to tackle both current and future challenges posed by climate change. This inclusive strategy not only ensures fair outcomes but also enhances robust and sustainable environmental management for everyone.

The writer is a gender and climate specialist at SDPI. She can be reached at sadiasatti@sdpi.org