ISLAMABAD: Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam here on Thursday highlighted the critical role of women in combating climate change, stressing the importance of gender-inclusive climate policies.

Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Empower Her Empower Pakistan’, Romina Alam emphasised that women often had less access to essential resources, decision-making platforms, and adaptive technologies, which made them more vulnerable to climate-related shocks.

She called for recognition of this disparity as the first step in designing effective, inclusive climate policies. “Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a social and economic challenge that disproportionately impacts women, particularly those in vulnerable and marginalised communities.

Addressing these challenges required a gender-inclusive approach that ensured women were not just beneficiaries but active agents of climate resilience and policy making,” Romina Alam stated. The seminar, hosted by the Centre of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR), served as a vital platform for advancing gender-responsive climate action.

PM’s climate aide says climate justice must be at the heart of all policy decisions

Romina Alam outlined the profound impact of climate change on women, particularly those living in rural areas, who bore the brunt of climate-induced disasters. From prolonged droughts that affected agricultural productivity to floods that displaced entire communities and extreme weather events that disrupted livelihoods, the effects of climate change were deeply gendered.

The PM’s aide further emphasised that women’s leadership in climate adaptation and resilience-building was not just necessary, it was transformative. “Across Pakistan, women are leading community-driven initiatives in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and disaster risk reduction. Their contributions must be recognised, supported, and scaled up,” she said.

Romina Alam also noted the importance of capacity-building programmes, financial inclusion, and skills development, which were essential to empowering women with the tools needed to combat climate challenges effectively.

The PM’s aide, however, acknowledged that there was growing recognition of gender-responsive climate policies, challenges remained in translating policy frameworks into impactful grassroots action.

“Implementation gaps, lack of gender-disaggregated data, and insufficient financial support continue to hinder the effectiveness of these policies,” she stated and stressed that overcoming these barriers would require strengthening institutional mechanisms, ensuring meaningful participation of women in climate governance, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration.

“Climate justice must be at the heart of all policy decisions,” Romina Alam asserted. “Equitable access to resources, technology, and decision-making platforms can empower women to become key stakeholders in climate solutions.”

She pointed out that ensuring climate finance mechanisms, adaptation programmes, and mitigation strategies incorporate gender perspectives was essential for fostering long-term, inclusive sustainability. Additionally, she underlined the importance of climate literacy in addressing these issues.

She commended the ‘Climate Ambassador Programme’, which had empowered over 10,000 students from national and international universities, and expressed her appreciation for COPAIR’s 1 Million Women Empowerment Programme, which was working to amplify the voices and roles of women in climate action.

“As we move forward, we must reaffirm our commitment to integrating gender equality into climate action. Women are not just victims of climate change—they are solution providers, leaders, and change-makers,” she added.

“Together, through collaborative efforts and inclusive policies, we can bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring a just and resilient future for all,” said the PM’s aide.

She said the seminar provided a platform for discussions on integrating gender equality into climate policy and addressing the unique challenges faced by women due to climate change.

Participants, including policy makers, climate experts, activists, and students attended the event to discuss strategies for strengthening women’s roles in climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation efforts, with the aim of fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2025