Gendered Dimensions of Climate Change Impacts: Challenges and Adaptive Strategies

Climate change poses a significant global challenge that exacerbates existing social, economic, and cultural inequalities, particularly through the lens of gender. This review systematically investigates the gendered dimensions of climate change impacts, focusing on the unique challenges faced by women and men in rural areas, as well as the adaptive strategies employed to mitigate these effects. This study employed a systematic literature review approach following established protocols. A structured search strategy was implemented across various academic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect) and trusted sources (United Nations Women, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Women, often responsible for critical tasks such as water collection, fuel gathering, and food production, experience heightened burdens due to limited access to land, financial resources, and decision-making platforms. Conversely, men are disproportionately affected by job losses in climate-sensitive sectors, leading to economic insecurity and shifts in traditional family roles. The central hypothesis guiding this review posits that addressing gender disparities in climate adaptation and mitigation is essential for achieving social justice and enhancing the effectiveness of climate action. This review underscores the critical need for inclusive and equitable strategies that foster resilience and sustainability in vulnerable communities while highlighting the intersectionality of gender and climate change. Strategies identified include capacity-building initiatives, inclusive policies, gender-responsive financing mechanisms, and participatory governance. Integrating indigenous knowledge and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration are pivotal for fostering equitable resilience. Achieving these goals necessitates collective action to dismantle structural barriers, ensuring that climate policies address the needs of all stakeholders. This study contributes to the growing recognition that sustainable communities cannot be achieved without addressing gendered impacts and fostering inclusive solutions for a more equitable future.