Climate justice

Half of Pakistan’s population is being sidelined in environmental decision-making. Rural women, whose lives are closely connected to nature, are routinely excluded from leadership and policymaking, resulting in solutions that ignore their issues and wisdom. This exclusion strengthens inequality and leads to failure in environmental management. Take water management in rural Pakistan. When women are absent from discussions about dams or resource allocation, their daily hardships – like walking miles for water – are ignored.

Contrast this with inclusive approaches: research from South Asia shows that when women participate in environmental governance, the outcomes are far more sustainable and equitable. Ending this exclusion needs immediacy. Policymakers, NGOs, and leaders must act to ensure women’s voices are heard.

Muhammad Shahjahan Memon

Islamabad