How does climate change disproportionately affect women and girls?
Climate change has been recognised as a ‘threat multiplier’ by scientists, civil society and key institutions, including the UN Security Council, as it presents a major threat to security and human rights, particularly for marginalised groups.
Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, previously said: “Climate change is the most consequential threat multiplier for women and girls, with far-reaching impacts on new and existing forms of gendered inequities.”
In extreme weather events, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men. By 2050, under worst case scenario modelling, climate change is expected to plunge up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty (16 million more than the total number of men and boys), and push 236 million more women and girls into food security.
Why are women and girls more exposed to these risks?
Across the world, women and girls are more likely to be living in poverty, which leaves them less resilient to climate-induced harms. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, elderly, low-income women living in rural areas are the group likely to be worst impacted by extreme weather events.
Acute disasters also disrupt essential services that women rely on (such as sexual and reproductive healthcare), and increase the risk of gender-based violence. Save the Children found that, on current trajectories, nearly 40 million girls face a ‘double blow’ of climate harms and child marriage by 2050 (an increase of 33%).
Women also face greater health risks as a result of climate change. In 2024, in the first legal victory of its kind, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland had violated the rights of older women by not taking adequate action on reducing carbon emissions and therefore putting their health at serious risk.
How can I support the climate movement?
There are broadly two main ways ordinary people can support the climate movement: through personal action and political action.
Personal action tends to focus on reducing your own carbon footprint, and not engaging with companies or groups that exacerbate climate change. This can involve steps like taking fewer or no flights, using public transport instead of driving private cars, eating less meat and dairy products, buying fewer clothes and boycotting ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu.
Political action can involve a wide range of activities and does not necessarily involve getting arrested or going to prison!
You can sign petitions; write to or visit your local MP or Councillor; talk about the climate crisis with your friends, family and co-workers; donate or volunteer with climate charities; share climate-related news and investigations on social media; amplify climate change campaigns and publicity stunts by organisations like Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Fossil Fuel London, Shut the System and the Citizens Arrest Network. You can also join a local climate action group, and take part in protests and demonstrations.
In London, Just Stop Oil are holding a final, peaceful demonstration at Parliament Square on Saturday (26 April). This is a low-risk, non-disruptive event designed to bring people together in solidarity against corporate polluters. You can sign up here.
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