Climate Change, Food Security, and Women: A Crisis We Can’t Ignore

The relationship between climate change and food security is overlooked by most of us. The focus usually remains on extreme weather, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels. But, the devastating impact on food security and women are at the center of this crisis.

Globally, about 50% of the agricultural workforce is based on women, yet they face significant challenges in accessing land, technology, loans, and decision-making power [1][2].

As climate change intensifies, events like droughts, floods, and heat waves are likely to disrupt the production of crops. This whole scenario is likely to worsen the women’s condition to grow, buy, and distribute food. Moreover, extreme weather events lead to food shortages which forces women to eat last and eat less, leading to starvation and poverty cycles. 

This article dives into the intersection of climate change, food security, and gender, exploring the challenges women face and how they can to lead the fight against hunger in a warming world.

How Climate Change Disrupts Food Security

Climate change has a significant impact on food security. It is reshaping the process of how we grow, buy, and distribute food. Extreme weather is not only destroying crops but is raising food prices and impacting the lives of middle and low-income families. Let’s break it down.

1. Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events are disrupting harvesting, growth, and supply chain systems across the globe. For instance, floods wipe out entire harvests, droughts dry up water, and storms disrupt supply chains. 

This is a cycle of destruction that leaves farmers struggling to recover. 

One of the recent examples of climate change disruption was observed in Pakistan’s 2022 floods. The floods submerged one-third of the country’s land, not only destroying crops but pushing millions into food insecurity. 

2. Water Scarcity

Water scarcity due to climate change is now a growing problem. With increasing population growth the usage of water for food production is also increasing. Globally 70% of freshwater resources are used for agricultural purposes. 

Erratic rainfalls and increasing droughts increase challenges for farmers as they face difficulties in getting irrigation supplies. Lack of water supplies can lead to less production of food which is a threat to food security. 

3. Soil Degradation & Lower Crop Yields

Climate change is a threat to food security because it is a cause of soil degradation. Rise in temperatures, excess rainfalls, and floods affect soil structure and nutrient levels. This leads to soil erosion and desertification. 

Heatwaves and floods intensify the process of soil degradation that not only reduces the quantity of food but also the quality of the food – impacting food security worldwide. 

4. Rising Food Prices

Climate change reduces the production of food and less food results in an increase in food prices, which is a global crisis. Because higher food prices directly impact the buying value of middle and low-income families.  

In East Africa, climate-driven droughts have increased food prices. Record-high food inflation has negatively impacted the buying power of many families. 

Why Women Are More Vulnerable to Food Insecurity

Globally, women play a significant role in growing food, preparing meals, and taking care of their families. Yet they often have the least access to land, financial resources, and even food itself. 

Moreover, climate change and food security issues impact the lives of women as they suffer the most. The impact of climate change is not only increasing gender inequality but it is also worsening food crisis for women. 

1. Unequal Access to Agriculture

Across the world women play a massive role in food production —yet they own less than 15% of the agricultural land. Additionally, in many regions, women struggle with land rights, and face restrictions in access to technology, loans, and agriculture training. 

These limitations leave them with outdated tools, lower yields, and vulnerable when droughts or floods hit the region. Despite that, in many parts of the world often men inherit land, whereas women borrow farmlands. In such conditions, extreme weather events magnify the struggle of women farm owners making it harder for them to sustain agriculture.

2. Nutritional Inequality

In many regions, women and girls often eat after men and children because of cultural norms. Sometimes there is not enough food left for women to eat. In such conditions, they starve. 

Starvation leads to malnutrition, which worsens women’s health, making pregnancy riskier and leaving them more vulnerable to disease.

3. Economic Barriers

Globally, access to food isn’t just about availability but it’s about affordability. The gender wage gap across the world shows that women earn 20% less than men. Low income means that they have less buying power. So when food prices rise they struggle to fulfill their nutritional needs.

Moreover, during crises, women are often the first to lose jobs or informal incomes, leaving them financially vulnerable. 

4. Increased Labor Burden

Lack of water sources and a decrease in food supplies push women to walk for miles in search of water, gather firewood, and secure food for their families. 

Walking for miles not only leaves them exhausted but also limits their ability to earn and to further invest time and resources in education and work. This increased burden is making it harder for women to survive. 

The Role of Women in Building Climate-Resilient Food Systems

Women face systemic barriers that limit their ability to adapt to climate change. Empowering female farmers is significant for promoting sustainable agriculture and fighting climate change and food security issues. 

1. Empowering Female Farmers

Almost half of the world’s agriculture labor force is women. Therefore it is crucial to provide them with land rights, the latest tools, technology, loans, and training to enhance their skills. 

Studies show that empowering women can globally increase 20-30% food production. 

2. Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Women are leading the way by adopting permaculture and regenerative farming, which restore soil health and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. These climate-smart techniques not only increase food production but also make agriculture more resilient to extreme weather events.

3. Innovative Food Security Programs

Women are transforming local economies by promoting self-sufficiency and sustainable food production through establishing food unions. 

Grassroots movements such as the Women’s Farming Union (FEPRODES) in Senegal and Guardians of the Seeds Network in Latin America are playing important roles in working on climate-resilient initiatives.

Gender-Inclusive Solutions for Climate and Food Security

Climate change and food security issues can be addressed by acknowledging the relationship between gender and climate change and adopting a gender-responsive approach. 

Women are disproportionately affected by climate-related food crises. Yet they are often excluded from decision-making processes. The presence of women in policy-making, education, and sustainable agriculture can help create food systems that are more resilient, equitable, and climate-adaptive.

Moreover, access to renewable energy such as solar-powered irrigation systems can help female farmers to grow crops even during droughts, boosting food security. Updating farming techniques and the integration of green technologies can also lead to more food production.

Concluding Remarks

Addressing gender disparities is essential for tackling food insecurity in today’s warming world. This can be done by adopting gender-inclusive policies, promoting girl’s education, and using sustainable technologies.

In this whole scenario, women are not just victims of climate change but they are innovators and problem-solvers. To build a truly climate-resilient future, women’s voices in policy-making is imperative.