Gender-transformative climate change adaptation: Advancing social equity

Abstract

In this background paper, the authors seek ways to use a gender-transformative lens to account for the social nature of major adaptation efforts in key systems and to understand the political, economic, social, and cultural practices and norms that shape, and may also distort, people’s adaptation to climate change. The authors aim to explore how gender is an important way to understand inequalities in adaptation and programs on adaptation. They recommend actions based on findings about specific systems and institutions engaged in adaptation to climate change. They also take stock of four institutional enablers of change—citizens, policies, organizations and delivery of programs—that can be utilized and tapped to strengthen gender-transformative climate adaptation.