Why is gender equality crucial for tackling climate change?

The recent floods in Chibombo have hit women and girls much harder, especially those already in vulnerable or marginalised situations.

Changu has reminded us that climate shocks disproportionately affect women and girls. This inequality stems from unequal power and resources between women and men, the gender gap in access to help and education, the prevalence of gender-based violence and deep rooted gender-based discrimination and violence.

In places like Chibombo many women depend on climate-sensitive work such as farming to make a living. Yet women farmers often do not have equal access to resources, technologies, services and information about adaptation measures, cropping patterns and weather events.This translates into diminished productivity and wages and increased exposure and vulnerability to climate change impacts.

CPCA has a strong focus on women and girls. They understand that even though their abilities, knowledge and leadership potential have been undervalued, women and girls play a critical role in advancing climate change mitigation and adaptation. CPCA is taking a rights-based approach, centred on empowerment, inclusion and equity to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment activities across all their work.

Their climate actions will only succeed if base on gender equality