Gendered Implications of Climate Change: Empowering Women in Climate Law and Policymaking in Nigeria

Climate change presents significant challenges to societies worldwide, andaddressing it requires the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives. This studyfocuses on the under-representation of women in Nigeria's climate policy anddecision-making processes and its implications for effective climate governance.Drawing on the recognition of the importance of women's participation ininternational climate negotiations, this paper examines Nigeria's legal andinstitutional frameworks aimed at promoting gender equality and femaleempowerment in climate action. Through analytical legal research, the studyinvestigates how these frameworks either enable or hinder women's engagementand representation in climate governance. Findings reveal that excludingwomen's voices leads to inadequate gender-responsive and equitable approachesto climate adaptation and mitigation. The under-representation of women inNigerian governance institutions exacerbates the problem, creating barriers totheir involvement in decision-making. To address these challenges, the studyemphasises the need for legal and policy frameworks that facilitate women'sparticipation and representation and foster supportive environments for theirleadership and agency in climate change contexts. The paper concludes byrecommending strategies such as developing gender-responsive climate policies,enhancing women's leadership and capacity, and fostering inclusive networks andpartnerships to promote gender equality and climate justice.