Gender and climate change: How environmental degradation amplifies women's vulnerability

This publication examines how climate change intensifies gendered vulnerabilities across Pakistan, using a sequential mixed-methods approach that integrates interviews, focus group discussions, expert webinars, and a national survey. The findings reveal that climate-induced disasters—such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and declining fisheries—severely disrupt women’s livelihoods, deepen economic insecurity, and increase unpaid labor. Women face heightened health risks due to inadequate maternal care, limited medical supplies, and unsafe sanitation and hygiene conditions during emergencies. The absence of gender-sensitive planning and limited data on women’s needs further restrict effective disaster response.

By triangulating qualitative and quantitative evidence, the study highlights systemic gaps in policy, preparedness, and service delivery. It calls for urgent, gender-responsive climate adaptation measures that protect livelihoods, improve healthcare and sanitation infrastructure, and ensure women’s participation in decision-making. The report offers evidence-based insights to strengthen resilience and reduce climate-related risks for vulnerable women across Pakistan. This study seeks to comprehensively understand these challenges to develop actionable guidelines and suggestions for policymakers and stakeholders, enabling them to prioritize their efforts and streamline processes to more effectively address the specific needs of women in the context of climate change. Additionally, it aims to provide insights that allow non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to better shape their advocacy strategies to support women’s resilience and well-being.