1.5 billion women and girls live in climate hotspots, UN Women warns

10 November 2026, 11:01 am

By Byamukama Alozious

At least 1.5 billion women and girls worldwide are living in climate hotspots, where exposure to extreme weather, insecure livelihoods and gender inequality are increasing their vulnerability, according to new findings by UN Women.

In a statement issued ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, on November 10, 2026, UN Women warned that climate change is deepening existing inequalities and could push an additional 141 million women and girls into extreme poverty by 2050 under a worst-case scenario.

The report, Gender Equality in the Age of Climate Crisis, highlights how droughts, floods, extreme temperatures and other climate-related disasters disproportionately affect women and girls, particularly those in countries with limited resources and high levels of gender inequality.

According to the findings, a one-degree Celsius increase in average temperatures is associated with women losing 34 per cent more of their total income than men, based on data from 24 countries.

UN Women attributes the disparity partly to women’s limited opportunities to shift to non-agricultural employment or migrate when harvests fail, leaving them more exposed to climate-related economic losses.

The report also highlights the growing burden of unpaid care work, including collecting water and fuel and caring for family members affected by disasters.

Of the estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide without water on their premises, women are the primary water collectors in two-thirds of households. Under a high-emissions scenario, the time spent collecting water could increase by up to 30 per cent by 2050.

The findings raise concerns for countries such as Uganda, where many women depend on rain-fed agriculture and are responsible for household food preparation, water collection and family care.

In Uganda, UN Women data shows that women and girls aged 15 and above spend approximately 14.6 per cent of their time on unpaid care and domestic work, compared with 6.7 per cent for men, highlighting an existing gender gap that climate-related disruptions could worsen.

The report further links climate-related livelihood losses, displacement and resource scarcity to increased risks of gender-based violence.

Across 14 countries examined, prolonged exposure to extreme drought was associated with 21 per cent higher odds of sexual violence against adolescent girls and young women.

UN Women also warns that climate change threatens progress in ending child marriage. In 24 of 46 countries where data was available, child marriage rates were higher in more arid environments than in more humid areas.

The findings further show that 326 million women and girls globally still lack access to electricity, while women remain underrepresented in climate decision-making, holding only 12 per cent of energy portfolios worldwide.

Despite growing recognition of gender-related climate risks, the report identifies significant gaps in government action. Although 73 per cent of countries acknowledge gender-specific climate risks in their nationally determined contributions, just over one-third address them comprehensively.

Developing countries also receive less than one-third of the climate finance they need, while only four per cent of climate-focused Official Development Assistance prioritises gender equality.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said women are already leading climate action in communities, laboratories and political institutions but need equal rights, resources and decision-making power to drive meaningful change.

The agency is calling on governments attending COP31 to place women’s rights and gender equality at the centre of climate policies, increase gender-responsive climate financing and protect women environmental defenders.

It is also urging governments to address the increased risk of violence against women and girls as climate-related displacement, resource shortages and livelihood losses intensify.

However, the report highlights opportunities for economic empowerment through climate action. With appropriate investments, women could secure up to 66 per cent of net new green jobs, translating into an estimated 68 million additional jobs by 2035.

UN Women is calling for the full implementation and financing of the Belém Gender Action Plan to ensure that international climate commitments translate into tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls.

The agency says women must not only be recognised as among those most affected by the climate crisis but also empowered to lead decisions and solutions that shape their communities and the future of the planet.