Women and climate change in Vanuatu, Pacific Islands Region

This paper focuses on the experiences of women in Vanuatu to build a greater understanding of the impacts of climate change on women’s lives in one of the most disaster risk countries in the world. Continuing sea level rises, more intense and frequent cyclones, flooding and landslides are regular occurrences in Vanuatu, challenging the population to adapt. These experiences are made more intense by the knowledge that ni-Vanuatu circumstances are the result of greenhouse gas emissions occurring elsewhere, in countries with higher gross domestic products (GDPs).

In focus groups conducted in 2021 with women in five communities across Vanuatu, women shared their experiences in dealing with climate change, the impacts on food production and food security and the gendered societal expectations that shape the complexity of women’s experiences. The researchers note the way gender relations build on climate change impacts to shape the lives of Vanuatu women. In so doing the authors highlight the expressed desire of women to bring their experiences of climate change to the international community and to be part of the critical global conversation on climate change.