Gendered Dimensions of Climate Change: Intersectional Perspectives on Vulnerability and Resilience

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly recognised as both an environmental and social justice challenge, with its impacts distributed unevenly across populations. This study examines the gendered dimensions of climate change through the perspectives of Intersectionality Theory and Feminist Political Ecology, exploring how gender interacts with poverty, ethnicity, class, age, and geographical location to shape vulnerability and resilience. Using a qualitative literature review and thematic analysis of contemporary scholarly works, policy reports, and international climate assessments, the study synthesises evidence from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The findings reveal that women, particularly in the Global South, face disproportionate climate-related risks due to unequal access to land, financial resources, education, technology, and decision-making processes. These vulnerabilities are further intensified by intersecting forms of social exclusion, including poverty, ethnic marginalisation, and geographical disadvantage. However, the study also demonstrates that women are not merely victims of climate change. Through local ecological knowledge, community networks, collective action, and innovative adaptation practices, they play critical roles in strengthening household and community resilience. The analysis further shows that climate adaptation initiatives may inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities when gendered power relations and intersecting vulnerabilities are overlooked. The study therefore advocates for climate policies that move beyond gender-neutral approaches by adopting intersectional and context-specific frameworks. It recommends expanding women’s access to productive resources, promoting inclusive decision-making, supporting gender-responsive adaptation programmes, and integrating local knowledge into climate governance. Addressing climate change effectively requires confronting structural inequalities while recognising women as vital agents of resilience and environmental stewardship.