As the world grapples with the increasing impacts of climate change, it is crucial to recognize and address its disproportionate effects on women, particularly in vulnerable regions like Pakistan. The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in its recent focused group discussion, the Intersection of Climate Change and Gender Based Violence (GBV) highlighted the urgent need for action to address (GBV) in the context of climate change in Pakistan. The discussion, attended by experts and stakeholders from various sectors, shed light on the crisscross of the rising threats of climate change and the GBV, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by women and girls during climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.

Naseer Memon, a consultant on climate change, disaster management and resettlement, drew attention to the profound impact of climate change on women, particularly in the context of natural disasters. He highlighted the devastating floods of 2022, which ravaged twenty-four districts in Pakistan, prompting mass migration to urban centers like Karachi and Hyderabad. He emphasized the disproportionate vulnerability of women in these crises, where they faced calamitous conditions in displacement camps characterized by inadequate access to essential facilities such as toilets, menstrual hygiene products, and healthcare services.

Memon underscored the additional challenges faced by pregnant women and those with physical disabilities, who encountered heightened risks and obstacles during disasters. By spotlighting these realities, Memon advocated for urgent action to address the unique needs of women in disaster response and mitigation efforts, emphasizing the importance of gender-sensitive approaches to ensure their safety and well-being.

Jaya Jaggi, a consultant on climate change and human rights advocate, stressed how women, particularly in patriarchal societies like Pakistan, face increased vulnerability to sexual violence during climate change-induced disasters. She emphasized that movement restrictions and societal norms limit women’s ability to access resources safely, exposing them to risks of harassment and assault. Jaggi accentuated the urgent need for gender-sensitive approaches in disaster response to ensure the safety and well-being of women and girls.

Sajjad Kandhir, a Deputy Director for Climate Change Adaptation at Pakistan Red Crescent, addressed the impact of climate change on women’s livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. He highlighted how droughts have affected women’s economic independence, citing cases where women lost their cattle in regions like Tharparkar, further exacerbating their financial vulnerability. Kandhir pointed out the difficulty women face in accessing disaster relief camps due to physical limitations and societal expectations. He stressed the importance of recognizing and addressing these gender-specific challenges in disaster management and response efforts to ensure the inclusion and empowerment of women in climate change adaptation initiatives.

Syeda Ailiya Naqvi, a researcher from the Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research, focused on the psychological effects of climate change on women and the need for gender-responsive policies. She highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women’s mental health, emphasizing that for every 1-degree rise in temperature, there is a 4.4% increase in violence against women. Naqvi underscored the importance of integrating gender priorities into policy frameworks to address inclusivity and representation, advocating for holistic approaches that consider the unique vulnerabilities and needs of women in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Talha Bhatti, a young environmentalist, addressed the increasing polarization and migration trends exacerbated by climate change, particularly in regions like Sindh. He underlined the need for local initiatives and incentives to bridge trust deficits and support vulnerable communities. Bhatti put emphasis on the importance of acknowledging and addressing the socio-economic impacts of climate change-induced migration, advocating for initiative-taking measures to mitigate its adverse effects on marginalized populations.

Muhammad Darjat, a development practitioner in South and Central Asia, spotlighted the importance of collaboration with existing institutions to address gender-based violence in the context of climate change. He pointed out the need to prioritize fundamental needs such as access to toilets in disaster preparedness plans. Darjat dug deep into the societal barriers and challenges that hinder effective disaster response and backed the comprehensive approaches that report the root causes of gender-based violence.

Syed Amanullah Hussaini, the Research Associate at Applied Economics Research, viewed that the droughts, floods, and rains are triggering violence, exacerbating criminal activities when production is low. Local organizations are essential, as the government cannot reach every part of the country.

The group discussion restated a blanket strategy that included introducing local-level working groups at the Union Council level across the country. The need for effective collaboration with rural support programs to enable women’s organizations of over 4000 UCs in Pakistan was also reiterated. Including women in developing contingency plans and disaster management at all tiers to adequately respond to the gender dimension was one of the key recommendations by the group. The experts believed that the collaboration of the grassroots community organizations including women will increase the outreach throughout Pakistan.