The impacts of climate change are already being felt and are projected to get significantly worse. While everyone everywhere is subject to the effects of climate change, marginalized groups including women and girls face heightened risks. This research highlights the impact of climate change on women and girls in Jordan with a particular focus on gender-based violence (GBV).
Overview
This research brief finds that among the most pressing environmental problems facing Jordan is water scarcity, a crisis that is aggravated by climate change. Evidence from around the world shows how climate induced events and impacts such as droughts, floods and changes in temperatures can lead to gender-based violence including harassment, intimate partner violence, child marriage and transactional sex. In previous research, UNFPA used the Ecological Model to understand factors that increase the vulnerability of women and girls to climate change. Those factors include broad ones such as poverty, economic and social inequalities and gender discrimination at the societal level and more micro-level ones such as low levels of education, lack of access to income and high dependence on natural resources at the individual level.
While data on the impacts of climate change on women and girls in Jordan is limited, it can be concluded from existing evidence that they are likely to be among the ones who suffer the most from climate-related events and impacts. This is particularly true as women’s participation in public life and their access to resources remains quite low.
About the research
This qualitative research was conducted by Sama Consulting and the Information and Research Center – King Hussein Foundation with support from UNFPA Jordan. The research is exploratory, based on an extensive review of literature related to climate change and GBV as well as 7 key informant interviews (KIIs) with gender and environmental experts and women champions working in the environmental/climate change sectors. Additionally, 1 focus group discussion (FGD) with GBV case managers was conducted to examine the impact of climate change on women and girls in Jordan. The brief outlines the situation of climate change in Jordan, its impacts on women and girls, and highlights the contribution of women and girls in Jordan who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.
