The Gender advantage: women on the front line of climate change
This report (PDF) compiles the experiences of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in their work to close the gender gap and mobilise women in climate change adaptation programmes and projects. The paper shows that successful adaptation to climate change means recognizing the role of women smallholder farmers. Through the collection of ten case studies, IFAD shows how gender-sensitive adaptation results in better outcomes in food security, livelihood options, incomes, and reduced workloads. The case studies are grouped thematically under the following headings: valuing women’s knowledge and experience creates opportunities for the whole community; equitable access to adaptation knowledge; investing in women brings economic returns for smallholder farmers; equal voice, equal access to decision making; and tackling women’s worsening workloads. The paper highlights that knowledge management and policy advocacy are increasing in importance to address longer-term issues.