Empowering Change: The Critical Role of Women and Youth in Climate Leadership
Keywords:
Climate Leadership, Women Empowerment, Youth Involvement, Sustainable Development, Gender Equality, Environmental Action, Inclusive Policies, Global Climate Strategy, Mentorship and Education, Resilient FutureAbstract
The global climate crisis deserves a multi-sectoral response. Evidently, the contributions of women and youth will certainly play key roles in defining climate leadership. This study shall evaluate the present engagement of women and youths in climate leadership with studies of successful case studies that have contributed to achievable environmental benefits. This also elaborates concrete strategy designs aimed at empowering women and youths by addressing the challenges and barriers they face within climate governance. The study engages qualitative analysis, conducting case studies and in-depth interviews of climate leaders by discussing relevant literature published on the themes of gender and youth participation in climate action. It further explores intersectional factors influencing participation, such as socioeconomic status, geographical location, and cultural norms. Results would critically assess current policies and frameworks against successes and shortcomings in integrating women and youths into climate leadership. In fact, significant findings from the study show that institutional barriers, including limitations in access to financial resources and mentorship and exclusion from decision-making processes, remain significant challenges. The research study has also identified a few research gaps, including the need to understand the long-term impacts of youth and gender-inclusive climate policies. One could raise pertinent issues around intersectionality in climate leadership, especially in understanding how marginalized groups within these populations can be better supported in climate governance. Lastly, the report emphasizes the strategic need to involve women and youth in climate leadership for a more resilient and sustainable future. It recommends inclusive policies targeting financing, education, and mentorship mechanisms to strengthen their role in climate decision-making
References
Baby, S. (2024). “Women STEM Leaders” Can Reform, Reinforce, and Rekindle Climate Action. In The Role of Female Leaders in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 81-103). IGI Global.
Bedeschi-Lewando, B., Caughey, C., Greer, G., Hughes, E., McInally, C., & Wilson, C. The Challenges of Climate Change: Women bringing Solutions aro ki te hā o Hine-ahu-one. Women Talking Politics, 13.
Bryan, E., Alvi, M., Huyer, S., & Ringler, C. (2024). Addressing gender inequalities and strengthening women's agency to create more climate-resilient and sustainable food systems. Global Food Security, 40, 100731.
Chow, D. W. S., Goi, A., Salm, M. F., Kupewa, J., Mollel, G., Mninda, Y., Ambonisye, J., Malongo, A., Ketang’enyi, E., & Sanga, E. (2024). Through the looking glass: empowering youth community advisory boards in Tanzania as a sustainable youth engagement model to inform policy and practice. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1348242.
Dobrich, E. O. R. (2024). Perspectives on Advancing Gender and Environmental Justice: Implications and Applications of a Conceptual Model for Supporting Women’s Environmental Leadership. Journal of Academic Perspectives, Volume 3, 130.
Domínguez, A. D., Overholser, A., & Sampson, C. (2024). A critical civic praxis approach to empowering urban youth leaders in a community-based organization. Education and Urban Society, 56(3), 345-366.
Ediae, A. A., Chikwe, C. F., & Kuteesa, K. N. (2024). Empowering youth through sexuality and leadership education: approaches and outcomes. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 22(1), 1250-1265.
ESCAP, U. (2024). SDG 13: Climate action.
Gill, S. A., Aftab, R., Rehman, S. U., & Javaid, S. (2019). Youth empowerment and sustainable development: evidence from Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Youth Program. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 35(3), 202-219.
Goryunova, E., & Madsen, S. R. (2024). The current status of women leaders worldwide. In Handbook of Research on Gender and Leadership (pp. 2-22). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Gul, M. A critical analysis of mainstreaming youth volunteering in environmental governance of Pakistan: a multi-level approach University of Nottingham].
Haq, Z. A., Imran, M., Ahmad, S., & Farooq, U. (2020). Environment, Islam, and women: A study of eco-feminist environmental activism in Pakistan. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 23(3), 275-291.
Imran, M., Akhtar, S., Chen, Y., & Ahmad, S. (2021). Environmental education and women: Voices from Pakistan. Sage Open, 11(2), 21582440211009469.
John, L. A. Navigating the Future: A Guide to a Sustainable Peaceful Environment Through Women and Youth.
Kakade, K. S., Kulkarni, A. M., & Naik, K. R. (2024). The Role of Women Leadership in Environmental Management. Opportunities and Challenges for Women Leaders in Environmental Management, 31-49.
Kwauk, C. T., & Casey, O. M. (2022). A green skills framework for climate action, gender empowerment, and climate justice. Development Policy Review, 40, e12624.
Lammers, K., Belmin, C., Soomauroo, Z., & Hoffmann, M. M. (2024). Empowering Women in a Climate-Changing World Through Climate-Resilient Energy Access. In Women and the Energy Sector: Gender Inequality and Sustainability in Production and Consumption (pp. 91-124). Springer.
Lecoutere, E., Achandi, E. L., Ampaire, E. L., Fischer, G., Gumucio, T., Najjar, D., & Singaraju, N. (2024). Fostering an enabling environment for equality and empowerment in agri-food systems: An assessment at multiple scales. Global Food Security, 40, 100735.
Lesko, N., Chacko, M. A., & Khoja-Moolji, S. S. (2024). The promises of empowered girls. In Handbook of Children and Youth Studies (pp. 29–41). Springer.
Md, A., Gomes, C., Dias, J. M., & Cerdà, A. (2022). Exploring gender and climate change nexus, and empowering women in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh for adaptation and mitigation. Climate, 10(11), 172.
Memon, F. S. (2020). Understanding Women’s Perceptions of Promoting Education and Policy Initiatives about Climate Change in Rural Areas of Sindh, Pakistan. Memon. FS and Amjad, S.
