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Despite being disproportionately affected by climate change, women and girls are driving climate solutions at all levels alongside farmers, workers, consumers, household managers, activists, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
Image Source: United Nations
The climate crisis affects women and girls disproportionately, as they are the majority of the world’s poor and heavily dependent on local natural resources. They face increased risks of gender-based violence and are 14 times more likely to die in extreme weather disasters due to limited access to information, mobility, decision-making, and resources. Women are uniquely positioned to be agents of change, contributing to mitigating its causes and developing effective adaptation strategies.
The United Nations emphasizes the importance of empowering women and girls for effective climate action, highlighting their role as environmental stewards, pillars of resilience, and agents of change. Women significantly contribute to global food systems through sustainable agriculture but face barriers like unequal access to resources, such as land rights and credit, education, and technology. Equal access could increase farm yields by 20-30%, feed 100-150 million people, and reduce tree-cutting pressure, a major driver of climate change.
Women are the backbone of resilience as they often become the primary responders, rescuing vulnerable individuals and informing authorities during climate disasters. Despite their significant contributions, they are often excluded from shaping policies and strategies to address disaster risk and resilience. Women’s capacities, knowledge, and skills in decision-making can help identify disaster risks and build security for families and communities.
Furthermore, women are vital as agents of change, leading global and national climate movements while driving transformation as consumers, workers, and business leaders. In wealthier societies, women drive 70-80% of consumer purchasing decisions, leading to sustainable lifestyles. In business, gender-diverse firms tend to have better environmental reporting and climate governance. Women are also increasingly contributing to the renewable energy sector, accounting for 40% of employees in solar energy.
Reference:
United Nations. (2024). Why women are key to climate action. Retrieved May 5, 2025 from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/women
