Thimphu: Growing up in rural Bhutan, I did not learn the meaning of resilience from textbooks. I learnt it from the women in my life.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the narrative of resilience is often reflected in the silent leadership of women in rural areas, especially in regions like Bhutan. Women, like the author’s mother, who managed both their households and the fields, exemplify leadership through their everyday actions, tackling complex community issues and adapting to environmental changes long before climate change became a global concern.
Women farmers, teachers, and community leaders in rural Bhutan have historically played pivotal roles in adapting to climate challenges, often without recognition or resources. The stark reality is that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, pushing them further into poverty and deepening existing inequalities. Statistics reveal that only a small fraction of climate-related development assistance is explicitly aimed at gender equality, highlighting a significant gap in climate finance and leadership.
At global climate forums, women’s issues are underrepresented, with only a handful of leaders addressing the impacts of climate change on women. This reflects not only a representation gap but a leadership gap in forming effective solutions. The imbalance extends to climate finance, where gender considerations are not prioritized, and projects targeting both climate adaptation and gender equality are rare.
In light of these challenges, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is committed to making strategic investments in women, ensuring their inclusion in science, policy, and finance platforms. By prioritizing gender equality and social inclusion, ICIMOD aims to strengthen the resilience of communities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
The author emphasizes that resilience has a woman’s face and voice, often seen in the women farmers of the mountains, who display quiet determination and intelligence. On International Women’s Day, the call is to celebrate women’s contributions, invest in them, and correct inequalities. By giving women meaningful roles in climate decision-making and funding, communities gain more inclusive policies and stronger adaptation outcomes.
As women lead sustainable agriculture, manage water resources, and preserve biodiversity, their contributions must be recognized and supported. Investing in women not only strengthens communities but also leads to a more resilient planet, a goal worth pursuing for the benefit of all.