Climate Change and Gender Inequality - Climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls, exacerbating existing inequalities [1] - By 2050, over 158 million women could be pushed into extreme poverty and 236 million into food insecurity due to climate change [2] - Women and children are 14 times more likely to die in disasters [3] - Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, escalating problems like displacement, poverty, and resource scarcity, leading to violence, trafficking, and exploitation of women and girls [9] - Only 3% of climate finance goes to women-led initiatives [23] Intersectionality and Vulnerability - Intersectionality, encompassing gender, class, nationality, language, and education, shapes how people experience inequalities [5] - In the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 70% of the 230,000 deaths were women [3] - In Afghanistan, women form the majority of agricultural workers and face increased risks of violence, trafficking, and early marriage due to climate-related disasters [11][12][13] - In Southern Africa, women own less than 20% of farmland but are responsible for providing food, water, and family resources [15] - In Italy, 63% of heat-related deaths in the summer of 2022 were women [16] Women as Agents of Change - Indigenous women-led communities have 60% lower deforestation rates [21] - Women are leading reforestation efforts in Kenya, with the Green Belt Movement planting over 51 million trees and employing 30,000 women [22] - Women in Bolivia lead on biodiversity conservation, and women in Afghanistan develop small-scale business practices to reduce waste [22] Policy and Inclusion - While 96% of national climate plans mention gender, only 27% ensure women have a seat at the decision-making table [19] - Legal, financial, and educational inclusion are key to boosting community resilience [23]