While efforts are being made to tackle GBV and climate change through gender-sensitive interventions, challenges such as lack of coordination and funding continue to hinder progress.

Research indicates a correlation between rising temperatures and increased incidents of physical and sexual violence against women, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.

The catastrophic floods in Pakistan in 2022 resulted in the deaths of 1,700 people and displaced over 33 million, causing an estimated $30 billion in damages.

The psychological impact of displacement has been profound, with heightened anxiety and stress contributing to domestic violence and mental health issues within families.

These floods exacerbated existing gender inequalities, disproportionately affecting women who had contributed the least to the climate crisis.

Zainab, a 50-year-old from Dadu district, lost her home and co-wife in the floods, leaving her to care for multiple children while grappling with poverty and domestic violence.

The floods disrupted education for over 2 million children, increasing the risks of dropout, gender-based violence (GBV), and child marriage, particularly for girls.

The UNHCR defines gender-based violence as harmful acts directed at individuals based on gender, a situation worsened by displacement and resource scarcity due to climate change.

Experts stress the importance of comprehensive social protections that address the intersectionality of climate change and GBV, advocating for gender sensitivity training for both men and women.

In displaced communities, early marriage is a troubling trend, as families often marry off daughters to alleviate household expenses, leading to significant human rights violations.

Women represent 80% of those displaced by climate change and are 14 times more likely to die in climate-related disasters compared to men, highlighting the severe impact on this demographic.

In Sindh, reconstruction efforts are underway to rebuild 2.1 million houses for those affected by the floods, yet women like Zainab face challenges that extend beyond the loss of housing.