The Intersection of Gender Equality and Climate Change:
Empowering Women as a Climatic Determinant in Achieving Sustainable Development
The intersection of gender equality and climate change has become a central dimension in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Women are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and climate-related disasters; however, their knowledge, leadership roles, and active participation are essential elements in building more resilient communities. This study aims to discuss the role of women’s empowerment as a climatic determinant within global sustainable development policies, focusing on current challenges, opportunities, and strategies to strengthen gender integration in climate policies.
1. Introduction
Sustainable development policies increasingly recognize the multidimensional nature of climate change, encompassing environmental, social, and economic aspects. Gender is a crucial dimension in this context, as women are more vulnerable to climate risks due to structural inequalities, while also serving as key agents of change through their roles in agriculture, resource management, and community leadership (UN Women, 2023). Viewing women’s empowerment as a climatic determinant enables a more comprehensive and equitable approach to sustainability.
2. Gender Dimensions of Climate Change
2.1 Vulnerability and Unequal Impacts
Studies show that women—particularly in developing countries—bear a heavier burden from the impacts of climate change, including food insecurity, water scarcity, and health risks (Dasgupta et al., 2024). Pregnant women are more exposed to heat stress and infectious diseases, while rural women often travel longer distances to collect water and firewood during droughts (WHO, 2024).
2.2 Structural Inequalities
Limited access to land, finance, and decision-making power constrains women’s ability to contribute effectively to climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Furthermore, their underrepresentation in climate negotiations and governance bodies remains a major barrier to inclusive policy development (Mavroidi et al., 2023).
3. Women as Agents of Climate Action
3.1 Resource Management and Agriculture
Women constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce in developing countries and possess vital traditional knowledge for climate adaptation—such as crop diversification and soil conservation. Studies show that their participation in sustainable agricultural systems enhances household and community resilience (Liu et al., 2022).
3.2 Local Leadership and Community Initiatives
Women-led initiatives—such as renewable energy cooperatives and waste management projects—offer innovative models for climate adaptation and emission reduction, highlighting the leadership potential of women in driving community-based solutions (Štefánek et al., 2022).
3.3 Political Participation
Research indicates that greater female representation in local councils correlates with improved environmental performance, including better waste management and increased investment in sustainability programs (Gagliarducci & Paserman, 2024)
4. Challenges to Women’s Empowerment
Despite progress in international frameworks, multiple barriers continue to hinder women’s participation. These include restrictive cultural norms, poverty, limited access to education, and insufficient institutional support. Additionally, the lack of gender-disaggregated data remains a major obstacle to evidence-based policymaking (Frontiers in Climate, 2023).
5. Recommendations and Proposed Policies
• Integrate gender perspectives into all climate and development policies.
• Build capacity and promote education by training women and girls in environmental and digital technologies.
• Implement legal and economic reforms to secure women’s rights to land and financial resources.
• Establish inclusive governance structures ensuring equitable representation of women in climate negotiations and decision-making bodies.• Develop gender-sensitive monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the impact of climate policies on women
6. Conclusion
Women’s participation and empowerment are not secondary concerns, but rather central pillars of climate justice and sustainable development. Gender equality contributes to more effective policies for climate adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, future strategies must focus on gender-disaggregated data, intersectional approaches, and support for women-led initiatives in addressing climate change.
Al-Mustaqbal University – The First University in Iraq
Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques – Ranked First in the National Classification of Iraqi Universities