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The Climate Change Gender Action Plan for Azad Jammu and Kashmir is a comprehensive 32-page report that highlights key intersections of gender and climate change in the region. Authored by Huzaifa Khan and Ayesha Khan, and published by the Center for Peace, Development and Reforms, the report highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on women in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It addresses key challenges faced by women, such as health, education, personal security and the increased risk of gender-based violence. Based on the 2021 National Climate Change Policy, the report provides an in-depth summary of gender-related concerns in five key areas: disaster risk reduction; Forestry, Water and Sanitation; food safety; and energy and transportation. Additionally, it includes a section on recommendations, offering both sector-wise and report-centric solutions.
The report has been endorsed by many eminent experts. Dr Shafqat Munir, deputy executive director in charge of policy and head of the Sustainability and Resilience Program at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, says the report links Kashmiri women’s voices to global women’s movements. Former Additional Chief Secretary in charge of development in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Dr. Syed Asif Hussain has appreciated the realistic focus on the needs of the region. CPDR President Zulfikar Abbasi recognized the project’s potential to make a meaningful difference in addressing climate and gender challenges. This endorsement underscores the importance of CCGAP in promoting climate action in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The nexus between climate and gender in Azad Jammu and Kashmir illustrates how gender dynamics interact with environmental challenges. Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a mountainous region with a fragile ecosystem and high dependence on agriculture and natural resources, is particularly vulnerable to climate change. However, due to existing social, economic and cultural structures, its effects are felt differently by men and women. The report explains this complex relationship by emphasizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women.
Women face significant challenges in disaster risk reduction due to limited access to relief and exclusion from disaster response planning. During crises, women and girls are more vulnerable to inadequate resources and support while also shouldering the burden of household chores and traditional caregiving roles.
In the forests, which cover 42.6% of the geographical area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, women play an important role in the management of non-timber forest products. However, they remain marginalized, with economic rights and limited access to resources, limiting their participation in forest management. Their involvement is often limited to low-return activities. Men dominate the exploitation of high-value forest resources, reflecting deep structural inequalities that impede gender equality.
The CCGAP for AJK draws on findings from a World Bank study on water access in the region. According to the report, only 57 percent of AJK’s population has access to improved water sources, compared to 89 percent nationally. This disparity is exacerbated by gender roles. 78 percent of women, including girls under the age of 18, are responsible for fetching water for their households. The job often involves a 15-minute commute and standing in line in all kinds of weather. The report linked poor household hygiene, inadequate sanitation and unsafe drinking water with negative impacts on public health and the economy, costing about 3.94 percent of GDP. These findings emphasize the critical need for gender-sensitive interventions to improve water access and sanitation.
The report calls for gender-responsive interventions to empower women and build resilience, including climate-smart agricultural practices, renewable energy projects and equitable access to resources.
The report identifies vulnerabilities in the food and energy sectors, emphasizing the disproportionate burden on women. In the food sector, food crops, which form the backbone of AJK’s agriculture, are highly sensitive to climate. Women have a key role in this, yet they face challenges such as limited land ownership, lack of access to resources and increased burdens during climate crises.
In the energy sector, rural communities rely heavily on biomass such as wood for cooking and heating. The responsibility of collecting and storing firewood often rests on the shoulders of women. Women also face indoor air pollution and health risks. The report calls for gender-responsive interventions to empower women and build resilience, including climate-smart agricultural practices, renewable energy projects and equitable access to resources.
Critically analyzing existing policies through a gender-sensitive lens, the report highlights the shortcomings in the AJK Climate Change Policy 2017. It emphasizes the limited integration of gender considerations in key sectors such as disaster risk management, forestry, energy and transport, pointing out. Addressing the lack of women in decision-making roles and structural barriers to their access to resources. It argues that addressing women’s vulnerabilities requires not only targeted interventions but also a systemic change in the way climate policies are designed and implemented. The report lays the groundwork for a comprehensive strategy to empower women and increase climate resilience.
A remarkable case study of a community-led environmental initiative in the Samari Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, combining environmental protection with socio-economic development. The main objective was to implement the practice of ‘No Tree Cutting’ to conserve the natural resources of the valley while promoting eco-tourism. An important aspect of the project was the integration of a gender-sensitive approach, actively involving women and local youth in the decision-making process. The World Bank supported the initiative through its village development programmes, funding various projects such as setting up water channels, organizing plantation drives and building kitchens for divorced women. Additional efforts included TEVTA (Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority), establishment of women skill centres, conducting health camps and implementing reliable water supply schemes. Together, these activities aim to improve the community’s quality of life while ensuring the protection of the valley’s fragile ecosystems.
The recommendations section of the Climate Change Gender Action Plan for AJK provides practical solutions for integrating gender-sensitive practices into climate action. It emphasizes the establishment of climate information centers in disaster-affected districts, capacity-building programs for women, and gender mainstreaming in disaster relief and self-help training. The report also highlights sector-specific recommendations, such as promoting women’s involvement in sustainable forestry, ecotourism and renewable energy projects. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration among stakeholders to mainstream gender in climate policies. These actionable recommendations aim to enhance resilience, equity and sustainable development in the region.
While CCGAP is an important step in addressing gender climate challenges in AJK, it falls short in two key areas. It lacks intersectionality, failing to explore how climate affects disadvantaged groups such as women with disabilities or ethnic minorities. Additionally, the report mentions gender disparities but lacks robust quantitative data to substantiate the claims and track progress. Bridging these gaps through comprehensive data collection and comprehensive analysis can significantly increase its impact.
Despite these limitations, the CCGAP lays a strong foundation for gender-responsive climate action in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, offering a path to a more inclusive and resilient future.
The author is a freelance contributor based in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. His x handle: @hunain_mahmood. He can be contacted at huninmehmud101@gmail.com.
