CLIMATE CHANGE, GENDER AND GREEN SOCIAL WORK

Climate change, recognized by the United Nations as a critical challenge of the 21st century, disproportionately impacts poor and marginalized communities, particularly women. These women, often responsible for managing households and supporting their families, face heightened vulnerability due to systemic gender inequalities, such as limited access to land and resources. Despite their critical roles in resource collection, energy provision, and climate adaptation, women are frequently excluded from decision-making processes, reinforcing their position as a "secondary gender." This exclusion extends to climate policy discussions, where gender inequities hinder women’s participation and recognition. This study examines the intersection of gender issues and climate change, focusing on societal barriers that restrict women’s engagement and exploring strategies to enhance climate resilience. Drawing on secondary sources, including existing literature and fieldwork, the research analyzes women’s roles in climate response, adaptation, and mitigation. The results reveal significant gender disparities in climate-related decision-making and highlight the essential contributions women make to resource management and sustainability efforts. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating gender-sensitive perspectives into climate policies to address these disparities effectively. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the critical need to acknowledge and support women as central actors in climate action, which is fundamental to improving the overall quality and effectiveness of climate change responses.