In recent years, discussions surrounding climate change have permeated global discourse, from international summits to the pages of everyday newspapers. As the evidence of rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation becomes increasingly apparent, addressing climate change has become a pressing issue for governments, policymakers, and the private sector.

When it comes to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the region is warming faster than the global average, with summer temperatures expected to rise by up to 4°C by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial levels.

Already grappling with severe water shortages, MENA is home to 11 of the 17 most water-stressed countries, making it the most water-scarce region globally. As temperatures climb, these challenges are only expected to intensify.

The shifting climate will further stress limited water resources as increased temperatures will increase water consumption for domestic and agricultural use.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENDER INEQUALITY

Apart from its apparent effects on the environment and various industries, climate change is also disproportionately affecting women in the region. 

This is largely due to their involvement in climate-sensitive jobs like agriculture and manual labor, often undertaken to support their families.

Women make up nearly 50% of the agricultural workforce in the MENA region, yet face growing hardships as climate disasters lead to water scarcity and force them to farm less fertile land, limiting crop yields and income and contributing to food insecurity. 

Discriminatory laws and social norms also restrict women’s access to land, credit, and water, hindering their ability to build agri-businesses. Only 5% of agricultural land in the region is owned by women, despite high female participation in agriculture—up to 52% in Morocco and 45% in Egypt.

The burden of unpaid care work, exacerbated by climate impacts, traps women in “time poverty,” limiting their education and employment opportunities. During Yemen’s floods in 2020, which displaced 300,000 people, women and girls were disproportionately affected, facing increased risks of gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Marian Fletcher, a sustainability strategist and climate educator, highlights the key ways climate change affects the lives of women and girls in the region. 

She emphasizes that climate-induced displacement significantly increases their vulnerability to exploitation, trafficking, and violence. In conflict zones like Syria and Yemen, the dual pressures of war and climate change have resulted in severe displacement, with women disproportionately affected by both crises.

“In countries where water and food are less accessible, women take on the brunt of housework, including sourcing these items. As resources become more scarce due to climate change, their workload increases, leaving less time for education, economic activities, or personal well-being,” she adds.

Fletcher points out that women and girls are more susceptible to extreme weather events, such as floods and storms, due to physical vulnerabilities and limited access to information. 

In the aftermath of disasters, women in the Middle East often encounter difficulties accessing the financial resources necessary to support themselves and their families.

Sarah El Battouty, Global Ambassador for the UNFCCC High-Level Climate Champions and advisor to the Egyptian Presidency on Climate, cites a report released at COP28 by UN Women indicating that by 2050, climate change could push up to 158 million additional women and girls into poverty, while 232 million may face food insecurity.

“Climate change impacts women across all income levels, affecting their lives regardless of age or socioeconomic status. Displacement and forced climate migration put women at risk by severing their ties to family and healthcare. Displacement also adversely affects women’s reproductive health,” she says.

El Battouty also highlights how women often bear the responsibility of managing households, which often leads to sacrifices in health, well-being, finances, and resources.

This situation forces many women to abandon their education and marry early, particularly in climate-dependent sectors like farming and agriculture, where climate degradation or disaster significantly impacts their life choices.

According to Karim Elgendy, an urban sustainability and climate consultant, climate change also severely affects women’s access to resources. 

“Prolonged droughts and diminishing rainfall around the Mediterranean are reducing crop yields and livestock productivity, directly impacting women in agriculture. Extreme heat makes outdoor work increasingly difficult, affecting women in manual labor jobs,” he says.

Echoing this, El Battouty points out that limited access to resources and political representation forces women into the hands of male decision-makers, leading to inadequate representation. 

“The repercussions for communities vulnerable to climate risks disproportionately affect women, costing them more than men. They often struggle to communicate their needs or access solutions equally,” she adds.

Climate change pressures and extreme weather further exacerbate issues such as limited access to healthcare, particularly reproductive services for women, making it increasingly difficult for them to reach essential health services and resources.

LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES

The long-term ramifications of this intersection are severe. They could potentially result in increased poverty, widening gender disparities in education and employment, and heightened social tensions. These effects could lead to political instability as resource scarcity and economic pressures intensify social inequalities, according to Elgendy.

“Furthermore, the loss of traditional knowledge and practices due to climate change could erode cultural identities, particularly affecting women who often play crucial roles in preserving cultural heritage,” he adds.

Likewise, Fletcher points out that communities will experience economic decline due to this intersection, as access to resources becomes scarcer and women are more likely to exit the labor force.

“This would deepen inequalities and potentially lead to increased poverty and marginalization. Displacement and migration could also lead to higher rates of child marriage, gender-based violence, and loss of education opportunities for girls.”

However, there is a massive opportunity to use the ongoing green transition to provide better opportunities for women and ensure their security.

“This can be achieved by empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly in climate tech and agri-solutions, as well as by educating women in STEM subjects and ensuring they find opportunities in green jobs,” Fletcher says.

Women comprise less than 19% of STEM education students, and only 3% reach senior management roles in the tech industry. Additionally, there is a significant disparity in funding. El Battouty stresses the need to reevaluate the support system to cater to the female demographic better. 

“Today, we are still fighting to be included in the conversation, causing a lag in economic growth. Women suffer and are among the most vulnerable to climate change and extremities,” says El Battouty.

“For them to apply solutions, we need women in tech, product design, building, energy, water resource management, financing, and political positions. How can the beneficiaries of solutions not be part of the design?”

There’s an urgent need for early investment in girls’ education, encouraging them to pursue STEM careers and supporting women-led entrepreneurial ventures in the green economy as part of a national and global commitment.

KEY POLICY INTERVENTIONS

Governments must also commit to real policy change. ”A cornerstone of good policy is good knowledge of the context and community in which the policy is being shaped. Governments must be able to grasp the differences in gender equality and equity and the impact of climate change on rural and urban settings because there is a significant difference.”

Data-driven policies and scientific forecasting are essential for effective decision-making. Ensuring women’s representation is crucial for achieving intergenerational and intragenerational gender equality. Women must be included in early education, various sectors and industries, and political and legislative bodies.

Experts emphasize that governments must incorporate gender mainstreaming by factoring in gender-specific challenges within national climate strategies and adaptation plans.

“Policies should aim to improve women’s access to water, land rights, and financial resources to enable them to build resilience against climate change impacts. Programs that support women’s entrepreneurship in renewable energy or sustainable agriculture can also offer alternative livelihoods,” says Fletcher.

Similarly, Elgendy underscores the need for gender-responsive climate adaptation strategies, increased female participation in decision-making, and improved access to climate finance and technology.

“Governments should invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and services that reduce women’s unpaid care work,” he notes. “International organizations can support by mainstreaming gender considerations in climate projects, providing targeted capacity building for women, and advocating for gender-equitable climate policies at national and regional levels.”