Pakistan Builds Inclusive Climate Responses that Safeguard Women and Children

We are placing women and vulnerable groups at the center of climate resilience and transforming how communities respond to climate threats in the region. 

On October 3, 2024, The Asia Foundation organized a roundtable session in Islamabad, Pakistan, as part of our research initiative on climate change and its impacts on women and adolescents’ health. The event convened representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Health, national and international development stakeholders, academic and research institutes, and think tanks. The discussion provided valuable insights into how climate change disproportionately affects the health and well-being of women and girls, increasing risks of gender-based violence.

Our CEO President and CEO, Laurel Miller, emphasized the urgency of these issues and advocated for inclusive climate adaptation and resilience solutions that safeguard the health and rights of women and vulnerable groups.  Our Country Representative for Pakistan, Muzaffar Ud Din, echoed this call and emphasized the importance of empowering women through access to climate-smart technologies, education, and leadership roles in disaster management. The key recommendations provided by the roundtable experts and participants were as follows:  

• Establishing a Shock-Responsive Social Protection System to protect and support vulnerable groups during climate-related emergencies. 

• Developing and expanding Disaster Management Capacity by integrating long-term climate resilience planning with local authorities and NGOs to extend support beyond immediate disaster response. 

• Designing a Strong GBV Identification and Redressal Mechanism with accessible reporting channels, whistleblower protections, complaint systems, and helplines, especially during crises.