Understanding the intersection of Climate Change and Gender Inequality

This report, prepared for FCA, examines the complex intersection of the climate crisis and gender inequality in Nepal, with a particular focus on rural women in the Madhesh and Sudurpaschim Provinces where FCA implements its programs.

Using a qualitative research approach informed by the Iceberg Model, the study explores not only the visible impacts of climate change but also the underlying systemic structures, institutional barriers, and social norms that shape women’s lived experiences and adaptive capacities.

By centering the voices, knowledge, and lived experiences of women while addressing the intersecting dimensions of gender, poverty, social exclusion, and climate vulnerability, the study advances a climate justice perspective that promotes equitable and resilient development. It underscores the need to move beyond policy commitments towards inclusive, locally led actions that address the root causes of vulnerability, strengthen women’s agency, and contribute to building a more just, climate-resilient society in alignment with Nepal’s national priorities and global climate and sustainable development commitments.