Impact Of Climate Change On Women In South Asia A Need For Immediate Legislation

Abstract

Climate change poses an escalating threat to women in South Asia, deepening pre-existing gender inequalities and exposing millions to heightened risks of displacement, violence, health crises, and economic marginalization. This paper investigates the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, emphasizing the critical gap in legal protections and policy responses. Using qualitative analysis and secondary data from international reports, national policy documents, and comparative statistics, the study reveals that while women play a vital role in sustaining household and community resilience, they remain largely excluded from formal climate governance and adaptation strategies. This study illustrates an extreme failure in the gender-sensitive disaster planning, access to land rights, and funding of climate financing. An inter-nation study indicates lack of legally stipulated obligations and the institutional support networks which are underfinanced. The paper demands speedy passing of the law where the rights of women have been mainstreamed into the law of climate- accountability, representation and resilience. Such reform is essential without which the adaptation of climate in South Asia will remain incomplete and unfair.