Caught Between Climate and Culture: The Adaptation Struggles of Rural Migrant Women in Urban Pakistan

Background: Climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, particularly informal residents and migrant women in the Global South. Environmental disruptions increasingly compel women to migrate from rural to urban areas for stability and livelihood opportunities. This study examines the challenges faced by migrant women as they adapt to urban life, particularly in conservative communities in which cultural norms and traditional gender roles restrict access to social networks, employment opportunities, and institutional support. Often dependent on male counterparts for survival, these women experience heightened vulnerabilities, including precarious living conditions and an absence of social protections. Method: The research employs a qualitative methodology, combining literature reviews; in-depth semi-structured interviews with planners, policymakers, and workers from non-governmental organization; and observational fieldwork that provides additional insights through direct engagement with female migrant workers, exploring the intersection of rural-to-urban migration, gender norms, and informal economies. Results: Preliminary findings reveal that city-level policies and interventions face implementation and monitoring gaps, failing to address the compounded vulnerabilities of migrant women. Their migration journey from rural villages to densely populated urban centres leaves them struggling to integrate into informal economies characterized by inadequate facilities and socio-cultural constraints that limit their ability to build resilience through employment. Conclusion: This study underscores the need for gender-sensitive urban policies that tackle structural barriers while providing comprehensive support for rural-to-urban migrant women. By identifying critical gaps in existing approaches, the research highlights the urgency of inclusive and adaptive strategies to foster resilience in urban settings amid the ongoing pressures of climate change.