Gendered Climate Vulnerability and Women’s Agency: Community and Gender-Based Climate Adaptation Strategies in Nepal

Climate change represents one of the most pressing challenges humanity is facing and will face in this century. Its impacts disproportionately affect countries, communities and social groups that bear the least responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions, the primary driver of global warming. Women are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change because these increase pre-existing gender inequalities and forms of discrimination. This research aims to explore how the inclusion of women and local communities can lead to more effective and inclusive solutions within climate adaptation strategies. To demonstrate the importance of integrating women’s participation and indigenous knowledge into climate-resilient processes, this Master thesis examines the case of Nepal. It represents one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and is characterised by a deeply rooted patriarchal culture. The Nepali economy is largely based on agriculture, a sector increasingly affected by extreme climatic events and erratic monsoon patterns. Nepali women are playing a leading role in climate change adaptation through the development of Community Learning Centres for climate–resilient agriculture strategies.