Climate change could push 158m more women into poverty, says UN

The United Nations (UN) Women has urged world leaders to make decisive commitments regarding climate finance that address the unique needs of women and girls.

In a statement on Thursday to mark Gender Day at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the organisation noted that gender-responsive finance is crucial for effective climate action.

UN Women said this will ensure fair and just access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making for women, who often bear disproportionate impacts of climate change.

The organisation revealed that only six out of 78 government leaders who spoke during the opening high-level segment of COP29 mentioned the effects of climate change on women.

“Climate change amplifies existing gender inequalities, threatening the rights, livelihoods, and health of women and girls. For instance, under a worst-case climate scenario, approximately 158 million more women and girls will be pushed into poverty—16 million more than men and boys,” the organisation said.

“Climate change is also tied to increases in unpaid care and domestic work, which primarily falls on women. In many low- and middle-income countries, women and girls are mainly responsible for collecting water and other materials for heating and cooking, tasks made more arduous by climate-induced resource scarcity.

“Such scarcity also magnifies risks of gender-based violence, including child, early, and forced marriage. Women environmental human rights defenders also face acute risks of violence and harassment.

“Women are on the front lines of climate resilience actions around the world, leading efforts in sustainable agriculture, water management, and disaster response, yet they frequently lack access to the financial services necessary to scale up their contributions.

“In 2022, just 3 percent of all official development assistance on climate had gender equality-related objectives.

“By integrating a gender lens into climate finance, governments can address systemic inequalities, unlock the untapped potential of women-led solutions, and enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of climate initiatives.”

Jemimah Njuki, UN Women chief of economic empowerment, said climate crisis is not gender-neutral.

“Women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of climate change, yet their voices remain largely underrepresented in climate decision-making,” she added.

“We need financing to go to addressing gender inequalities and to go to grassroots women’s organizations.”

Ayshka Najib, co-founder of Fridays For Future MAPA, said gender-responsive climate finance must “ensure that the quality of finance delivers on equity, including debt justice and uplifting those most impacted by climate shocks instead of leaving them vulnerable”.