n Pakistan, climate change is no distant concern; it’s part of the reality we live every day. It is seen playing out on the faces of rural women burdened with longer walks to fetch water from wells running dry. It is heard in the whispers of coastal communities worried about creeping sea levels and, in bustling urban areas, increasingly scorching, unbearable summer heat. And yet, we are overlooking a crucial part of the solution,

the empowerment of women.

As we approach the 29th Conference of the Parties, where leaders from across the globe will discuss climate action strategies, we have a unique chance to bring attention to a concept that could redefine our future: climate empowerment through women empowerment. We should not think of empowering women as a by-product of climate action; it should be at the heart of it. Imagine a future where Pakistani women from every corner of the country stand at the forefront of climate solutions, leading local initiatives and bringing innovative ideas born out of their intimate relationship with the land and the community.

In Pakistan, climate change is exacerbating existing social and gender inequalities, often hitting women the hardest. In rural regions, they are the ones ensuring that their families have food and water. They often bear the brunt of climate impacts on agriculture. A severe drought doesn’t just dry up the fields; it stretches their responsibilities, drains their time and reduces their already limited access to resources. How do we expect any meaningful adaptation to climate change while leaving half of our population out of the conversation? Women aren’t just victims of climate change; they’re also its unsung........

© The News on Sunday