Does The International Climate Change Law Protect Vulnerable Women in DevelopingCountries?

Women in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change, which affects them more than men. Climate change exacerbates gender inequalities for women and threatens their well-being. Patriarchal norms limit their mobility and survival skills, making them more susceptible to disasters. Although women play a critical role in water management, they are largely excluded from decision-making. To recommend enhancements, this research employs a doctrinal legal method through an interdisciplinary lens, critically examining legal texts, academic literature, and practices. It draws on gender and development studies, medicine, and social development to evaluate how effectively International Law protects women from the impacts of climate change. Key sources include IPCC reports, UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, subsequent Decisions, and climate finance mechanisms. Women are often overlooked in climate science and law, leading to weak protection. UNFCCC Decisions promote equal participation but use vague language and lack concrete measures. With 102 countries still denying women land rights and only 0.2% of climate funding reaching them, access to loans remains limited due to the absence of collateral in land. Integrating CEDAW into the Paris Agreement and explicitly addressing `women´ could strengthen protections. An improvement could also be made by changing the term to `women´s right to equal participation and funding´, or simply `half women-half men´. The most meaningful improvements for women may be achieved at the grassroots level, as legal reforms often require time and strong political support.