In the pastoralist communities of Kenya, climate change is not merely about rising temperatures or changing weather patterns; it is reshaping lives, economies, and gender roles. As droughts intensify and resources become scarce, men leave home in search of economic opportunities, leaving women to manage households, farms, and livestock. These women are not just caretakers; they are frontline responders. With limited tools but deep local knowledge, they adapt in real time by managing scarce resources, restoring degraded lands, protecting water sources, and enhancing soil health. 

“We teach women not to cut down trees for charcoal. They are no longer cutting; instead, we are planting trees,” shared a community leader in Kenya, part of a grassroots afforestation initiative.  

In Somalia, displaced women are innovating with the limited resources at their disposal—using wet cloths to regulate body temperatures in overcrowded shelters. These actions are not mere acts of survival; they signify climate leadership. These adaptation strategies emerge in spite of systemic barriers—not due to enabling policies or resources.

Across Africa, women are disproportionately vulnerable to climate shocks. They lack access to the resources, funding, and decision-making spaces necessary to scale up their efforts. In Kenya, women produce up to 80% of the country's food, yet they struggle to secure financing, climate-smart technologies, and land titles. Without legal land ownership, they cannot invest in long-term solutions like climate-smart farming, soil conservation, or sustainable water management—trapping families in cycles of vulnerability. 

In Nigeria, women face similar barriers. The lack of access to resources and decision-making power undermines their ability to adapt to climate shocks—whether through improved farming techniques, income diversification, or safe migration.

Investing in Women's resilience and adaptation is investing in the Planet

Despite these challenges, women actively shape climate-resilient strategies. Their efforts are highlighted in “ Shifting Gender Roles, Building Resilience: Women at the Forefront of Climate Adaptation in Africa,” a joint report by UNDP and Samuel Hall based on field interviews with men and women in Kenya, Nigeria, and Somalia. The report argues that for climate adaptation strategies to succeed, they must involve those already driving change: women. 

“Women know their problems and what they need assistance with. When decisions are being made, they should be the ones to come up with solutions that help them,” said a Somali woman interviewed in the report.

The report emphasises that women are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate shocks. In Somalia, extended droughts and displacement have left many women in refugee settlements. With limited access to income-generating opportunities, many depend on informal or low-paying jobs. The struggle to secure food and water has compelled some families to consent to child marriages or limit girls’ access to education. Additionally, women face heightened risks of sexual violence, especially when traveling long distances in search of water or firewood.

To tackle these challenges, climate adaptation efforts must be gender-responsive and rooted in local contexts. The report advocates for direct funding for women-led initiatives via climate finance mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund. Cash transfers, livelihood support, and food assistance should be customised to meet the needs of women-led households.

Policies should integrate traditional climate adaptation strategies that communities have tested and refined for generations. Moreover, governments must acknowledge the unique vulnerabilities of displaced women and incorporate protection mechanisms into adaptation strategies. Secure land rights for women are crucial: when women possess legal land rights, they can invest in long-term adaptation solutions, access financial resources, and enhance food security in their communities. 

As we reflect on 25 years of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, established through United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, alongside the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, one truth must remain clear: climate adaptation is not merely a technical or environmental challenge; it is a gender justice issue. 

Women on the frontlines of climate change must be recognised, resourced, and empowered. Their leadership and knowledge are essential for building resilience in a complex and rapidly changing world. Policymakers, donors, and development partners must listen to their voices and take action to eliminate the barriers they face. Investing in women’s leadership in climate adaptation is not only a moral imperative—it is a pathway to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

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