“If we took away barriers to women’s leadership, we would solve the climate change problem a lot faster.”– Mary Robinson, Seventh President of Ireland and Climate Activist.
The world has been too slow to react to the disaster that climate change is bringing to small Pacific islands like Kiribati and Tuvalu. Over the past three decades, the rate of sea level rise in the Pacific region has reached 3.4 millimeters per year, according to data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In some measurement areas in the Pacific, particularly north and east of Australia, the rate of rise is even higher than the global average. However, this is not just a threat of land sinking, but people who inevitably have to leave their land and face an uncertain future. In these circumstances, it is women who are often at the forefront, bearing the brunt of the burden and providing solutions that are often overlooked. Is there any global effort that really pays attention to their presence? This article aims to highlight the role of women in forced migration due to climate change, identify their needs and vulnerabilities, and offer gender-based solutions for a more equitable and effective global response.
If we talk about forced migration due to climate change, we can see in some circumstances that women are more challenged than men. Why is that? In international relations, critical feminism highlights how the world’s socioeconomic system increases women’s vulnerability during forced migration. In addition to depriving women of their land and homes, rising sea levels create circumstances that disproportionately place women in more challenging positions. Women in Kiribati and Tuvalu, for example, are often forced to leave their traditional territories, which have long been a major source of livelihood and cultural identity.
Losing access to natural resources such as clean water is a major challenge, especially for women who are traditionally responsible for providing domestic needs. Even worse, gender-based violence often finds its roots in refugee camps. But do migration or international aid policies really take this into account? According to Amnesty International, these camps may not have adequate protection for women in terms of physical safety and access to basic necessities such as environmental hygiene. The problem does not stop there; the first to feel the financial impact of climate change are women working in the informal sector who depend on small-scale agriculture. Their main source of income disappears without land to farm. Limited access to job training or education often keeps migrants trapped in a cycle of poverty when they move to the city, that if this is not broken, women will continue to be the group that suffers the most in forced migration.
However, it’s not just about victims, behind this fragility, Pacific Island women have shown that they can be agents of change whose value cannot be underestimated. The post-structuralist feminist perspective reminds us that women are leaders and inventors ready to provide local answers to the world’s problems, not just victims in this crisis. One well-known example is the Greenwave program in Fiji, where women spearheaded a mangrove planting project intended to stop coastal erosion and protect local biodiversity. Not only do the mangroves act as a natural barrier against rising sea levels, but they also provide a habitat for fish that are a source of food and income for local communities. Community-based approaches like this demonstrate how women can lead sustainable ecosystem-based adaptation.
Another narrative comes from an indigenous village in Fiji, where women are bringing sustainable farming methods such as intercropping and the use of natural fertilizers to aid livelihoods amid environmental constraints. These projects not only improve local food security but also help the women in their communities to have better social and economic situations. However, this empowerment does not come easily. One important influence is local policies that support women’s role in climate adaptation. For example, a United Nations Development Programme-funded gender-based project in the Pacific Islands has shown how giving women access to microfinance and training can enable them to guide their communities through crises.
It’s not just about technical solutions; it’s about demonstrating that women have the ability to lead the response to climate change. Post-structuralist feminism serves as a reminder that women have a distinctive point of view that can generate new strategies to deal with this crisis. But will more individuals in the global community heed their advice? Or, will women continue to be portrayed as a group that must be “helped” rather than leaders?
Unfortunately, the global response to climate-induced forced migration does not include women’s needs, despite promising local efforts. Liberal feminism emphasizes women’s participation in international decision-making, yet global agendas such as the Global Compact for Migration only refer to gender issues in general, rarely addressing women’s more specific needs. Structured international policies ignore women’s needs, such as reproductive health care in refugee camps. UNHCR notes that migrant women in Kiribati refugee camps typically lack essential health services including prenatal check-ups and sexual harassment protection. These are fundamental issues that, if left unchecked, will only perpetuate injustices that have persisted for years. In international migration and climate change agreements, gender inclusion is critical. Without gender-sensitive policies, women will remain the most disadvantaged group in this global disaster.
What should be done? First, women need a place in international negotiations. Women should be prioritized in global forums such as COPs and UN migration meetings. This is not just about representation, but ensuring that the policies implemented truly reflect their needs. Second, international law must be strengthened to protect women who migrate. National and international climate adaptation strategies must consider the consequences for women. Gender-conscious strategies can include education, job training and health care. Integrating gender into climate policy is no longer an option, but a moral obligation. In addition, foreign funding should support local women-led projects. By providing access to financial resources, women can play a greater role in building the resilience of their communities, which can also change the world’s view that women cannot lead.
Rising sea levels caused by climate change have resulted in forced migration issues that greatly affect Pacific Island populations. Among these difficulties, women have a special position as the most vulnerable group but also as leaders in solving the problem. We can create more inclusive and sustainable responses around the world by improving the rights of migrant women, increasing their participation in decision-making, and incorporating a gendered view into climate adaptation strategies. Women empowered to lead not only improve their own lives but also help build a better future for their countries and the planet.
This disaster tests the world’s willingness to uphold social justice. It’s time we start helping women as leaders capable of bringing about real change instead of thinking of them as compliant victims. Women’s voices must be at the center of the answer if the planet truly wants to create an inclusive and sustainable future. Such a global reaction to climate change will not succeed without involving women. While they may be at the forefront of this crisis, the Pacific Islands are also locations where a new future can be created with women as its designers. The world should take lessons from them now.
