NCSW Spearheads Gender-Inclusive Climate Strategies

News Desk 

Islamabad: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), in partnership with Pathfinder and UNFPA, hosted the pivotal conference “From Vulnerability to Resilience: Gender Climate Action in Pakistan” at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad.

This event underscored NCSW’s commitment to promoting gender-inclusive climate resilience strategies in Pakistan, bringing together a diverse group of representatives from all provinces, including government officials, climate activists, community leaders, and the private sector.

NCSW Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar inaugurated the session, emphasizing the crucial role of women in addressing climate change. She remarked, “With 80 percent of those affected by climate change being women and children, their inclusion in decision-making is essential.”

The Chief Guest, Lt General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of NDMA, highlighted the urgent need for proactive climate policies. “Pakistan must move beyond a reactive stance. We need immediate and effective policies to counter the looming crisis,” he urged.

Noteworthy contributions included a compelling speech by humanitarian and singer Shehzad Roy, and insights on the “Advancing the Leadership of Women and Girls for Better Health and Climate Resilience Surmi Project” from Madiha Latif, Country Director of Pathfinder International Pakistan.

 Ambassador Khazar Farhadov of Azerbaijan discussed gender-inclusive climate strategies in anticipation of COP29, while environmentalist Samar Khan shared her firsthand experiences of climate impacts on livelihoods and winter sports.

The conference featured thematic working groups focused on women’s preparedness, climate-induced gender-based violence (GBV), health impacts, and livelihoods.

Nilofar Bakhtiar launched the “National Agenda on Women and Climate Change in Pakistan,” outlining key recommendations including the immediate rollout of the Climate and Gender Action Plan, educational institutionalization of climate literacy, and investments in women’s leadership for climate action.

Emphasis was placed on strengthening local level institutions for enhanced coordination and developing gender-specific budget allocations to address GBV, ensuring that GBV response is integrated across all climate and emergency policies.

Further, investments in climate resilience healthcare infrastructure were underscored, focusing on comprehensive family planning and maternal health services. The need for alternative and climate-smart agriculture practices, private sector involvement in early alert systems, and women’s economic resilience was also stressed.

The event concluded with a keynote address by Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Water Resources, who reflected on the dire situation of gender disparity within public and private spheres.

He passionately spoke about the continued socioeconomic losses and disproportionate vulnerability of women and girls to death and violence as a result of climate shocks. He highlighted the intersections of climate and health, underscoring the need for increased representation of women and girls in policymaking.