Gender dynamics, climate change threats and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing

Abstract The persistent challenge of gender inequality continues to shape socio-economic dynamics within small-scale fisheries, creating complex cycles of vulnerability for both women and men. Contemporary policy interventions frequently fail to address the gender mechanisms that underpin these vulnerabilities, thereby overlooking critical opportunities for promoting equity and resilience. This study examines the multifaceted intersections of gender with environmental and social stressors, specifically focusing on climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in small-scale fisheries. By synthesizing 189 peer-reviewed publications, this research highlights the disproportionate burdens experienced by women within maritime socio-ecological systems. The findings reveal how structural barriers systematically constrain women's adaptive capacities, while simultaneously demonstrating the potential of gender-responsive strategies to enhance community resilience. The analysis argues that integrating gender considerations into fisheries governance is not merely an ethical imperative but a fundamental requirement for addressing the interrelated challenges of environmental change and maritime resource management. Graphical Abstract