Climate Change and Gender-Based Violence: A growing global concern
The devastating impact of climate change is worsening gender-based violence (GBV) in Zambia, with women and girls becoming increasingly vulnerable due to environmental disasters such as droughts and floods.
GBV is rising globally, and these forms of violence are likely to increase in connection with climate change. With greater pressure on resources and reduced access to food, water, and jobs, these stresses are often deeply felt at the household level.
This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) will be commemorated under the theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.” The theme serves as a reminder that gender equality cannot be achieved without climate justice, as women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate-related crises.
Head of Climate and Gender Justice, Hillary Ronald, has raised concerns over the exclusion of women and gender-diverse individuals from climate-related decision-making processes.
“Climate spaces remain largely male-dominated, often sidelining the voices of women,” emphasized Hillary. “This leads to solutions that focus on technology and policy while overlooking those most affected by climate change.”
She added that just as biodiversity strengthens ecosystems, climate spaces should prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that women, gender-diverse and 2SLGBTQI+ folx, and other marginalized groups are seen, heard, and respected.
The recent Raised Voices Project retreat, organized by the Nyapachuma Memorial Foundation in collaboration with VIDEA, revealed that climate change has led to alarming social consequences in Zambia.
Speaking in an interview, Betha Mukonda, Inclusion Team Leader and Internship Coordinator at VIDEA, called for urgent interventions to address the link between climate change and GBV. She emphasized the need for gender-sensitive policies, stronger legal frameworks, and increased awareness in communities.
“Last year, severe droughts resulted in water shortages that forced some schools to close, leading to high dropout rates, particularly among girls,” she highlighted. “Some families resorted to marrying off their daughters due to extreme poverty caused by food and water shortages.”
Bertha added that this crisis has also contributed to rising divorce rates and economic vulnerability among women, increasing their risk of exploitation, trafficking, abduction, and other forms of violence.
“To address the challenges posed by both GBV and climate change, we call for a global, systematic approach that empowers women and girls to create change in their communities,” she urged.
Following the Raised Voices Project retreat, participants expressed confidence in sharing the knowledge they had acquired with their communities. They committed to conducting research, engaging local leaders, and using platforms such as radio and television to highlight the intersection of GBV and climate change.
As climate change continues to disrupt livelihoods, organizations like the Nyapachuma Memorial Foundation and VIDEA remain committed to raising awareness, advocating for policy reforms, and empowering women, girls, gender diverse and 2SLGBTQI+ folx to drive meaningful change in their communities.