Climate change is an escalating crisis that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, and among the most vulnerable are women in the Global South. While climate change is a universal threat, its immediate and severe consequences are borne primarily by women, particularly in Pakistan. From displacement to economic instability and gender-based violence, the crisis is deepening the already existing gender gap in the country.
The Impact of Climate Change on Women in Pakistan
The devastating floods of 2022 in Pakistan painted a grim picture of this reality. As over eight million people were forced into relief camps, reports of sexual violence against women in these shelters surfaced. The vulnerability of women and young girls increased exponentially, with shocking cases like the rape of an eight-year-old girl in the Boat Basin Flood Relief Camp in Karachi. According to the World Health Organization, 70% of women in refugee camps worldwide face some form of sexual violence, leaving us to question how many more cases went unreported in Pakistan’s flood-stricken regions.
Beyond the immediate threat of violence, displaced pregnant women faced a health crisis. The UNHCR reported that approximately 650,000 pregnant women in flood-affected areas lost access to essential birthing facilities. Additionally, economic stress caused by climate disasters exacerbates domestic violence, as financial instability often leads to frustration and aggression within households, disproportionately affecting women and children.
Why Women Bear the Brunt of Climate Change
Several pre-existing social and economic factors make women particularly vulnerable to climate disasters. Firstly, traditional gender roles mean that women are primarily responsible for household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and water collection. In Pakistan, women spend an average of four hours a day collecting water. With droughts and water shortages becoming more frequent due to climate change, these daily struggles have intensified.
Secondly, women are deeply involved in Pakistan’s agricultural sector, making up nearly 60% of the agricultural workforce. However, they face systemic disadvantages, including limited access to technology, financial resources, and land ownership. With climate change projected to reduce Pakistan’s crop yields by up to 20% by 2050, female farmers stand to suffer the most, pushing them further into economic hardship.
The Barriers to Women’s Adaptation and Survival
What makes this situation even more dire is that Pakistani women lack the means to fight back or adapt. Only 7% of women in Pakistan have bank accounts, which means the vast majority are excluded from accessing financial resources like loans or relief funds needed for climate adaptation. Additionally, Pakistan’s literacy rate for women stands at 46% compared to 80% for men, and only 13% of girls remain enrolled in school by age 14. The lack of education limits women’s ability to access information on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and financial independence.
Another significant barrier is restricted mobility. When climate change makes certain regions unlivable, men can migrate in search of work and stability, but cultural norms prevent women from doing the same. This leaves them trapped in worsening conditions, with little opportunity to seek better prospects elsewhere.
Climate Finance: The Urgent Need for Action
To prevent the widening of the gender gap and ensure women’s safety, Pakistan must prioritize climate finance. The time to act is now. Investing in gender-responsive climate projects can be a game-changer in mitigating the effects of climate change on women.
Key climate finance solutions include:
- Funding for Women’s Financial Inclusion: Expanding financial services to include women through microloans, grants, and financial literacy programs will empower them to build resilience against climate disasters.
- Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: The government must invest in resilient housing, flood barriers, and safe water access to reduce the burden on women and protect them from displacement.
- Agricultural Support Programs for Women: Providing women with modern farming techniques, climate-smart agricultural tools, and access to financial aid can help them sustain their livelihoods despite changing weather patterns.
- Education and Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives aimed at increasing climate awareness among women, along with vocational training programs, will help them adapt to new economic realities.
- Stronger Legal Frameworks Against Gender-Based Violence: Protecting women in disaster relief camps through strict enforcement of laws, better policing, and legal support services must be a top priority.
Conclusion
Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a humanitarian crisis, disproportionately affecting women in Pakistan. Without urgent climate financing and policy interventions, the gender gap will only widen, and more women will suffer from displacement, economic instability, and violence. The best time to act was yesterday, but the second-best time is today. Pakistan must mobilize resources to protect its women and ensure a climate-resilient future for all.