From Vulnerability to Resilience: Women and Girls on the Move

By Ifechi Anikwe

The climate and migration narrative has typically categorized migration solely as a consequence of the impact of natural and man-made disasters such as insecurity and famine, among others. There is an increasing push for migration to be seen as a potential adaptation strategy. More recently, the international importance of migration was emphasized through its inclusion on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes the integral function of migration in achieving development goals.

However, this idea needs to be carefully considered, because migration can only be possible when conditions do not allow for increased resilience. Displacement heightens the economic, legal, political and social barriers that women and girls face and deepens gender inequalities in terms of land rights, job opportunities and income levels. In many cases it is not possible to migrate, for instance due to situations of intense attachment to ancestral lands, similar upheavals occurring in neighboring communities, or the creation of regulatory obstacles or physical roadblocks to crossborder migration as we have seen in recent years. In such cases, intensifying efforts to build coalitions and obtain funding to improve climate resilience in vulnerable communities becomes more important. In addition, efforts are underway to amplify alternatives, such as benefiting from Loss and Damage (L&D) funding which may help recover lost wealth and infrastructure, and support the execution of climate resilience projects.

Figure 1: Global estimate of the number of women and girls living in internal displacement due to conflict, violence and disasters at the end of 2022. Gender Dynamics in Internal Displacement by the IDMC.

According to the 2024 Global Report on Internal Displacement by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), Sub-Saharan Africa, which hosts 46 per cent of the world’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), was again the region most affected by internal displacement in 2023. Conflict and ongoing violence overlapped in countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, forcing people to flee again and/or prolonging their displacement. Women frequently bear the burden of caregiving in displacement settings, which is increased by disruption to their family’s access to healthcare and education. Discrimination and deeply ingrained gender norms also limit displaced women’s ability to look for new sources of income. If gender inequality in displacement is not addressed, it can have long-lasting effects and make it more difficult for them to find long-term solutions by going back to their hometowns, integrating locally, or relocating elsewhere.

Adaptation refers to the proactive actions that individuals and communities can take in response to current or projected climate changes in order to minimize harm and optimize benefits. This underscores the need to learn more about how migration could be a deliberate response to environmental concerns, as opposed to earlier perspectives that primarily highlighted displacement as a detrimental consequence of climate change. Nonetheless, migration can be an effective form of adaptation for girls and young women if inclusive and effective gender perspective planning is incorporated into humanitarian and development action on displacement.

The climate crisis doesn’t affect everyone equally, factors like age, gender, disabilities and income level affect how individuals experience and recover from disasters. It could lead to an increase in vulnerability in the case of vulnerable groups, creating greater threats and a poverty spiral, reducing their adaptive capacities. During adolescence the investments and gains of early and middle childhood anticipatory socialization come to fruition; however, these gains must be sustained and consolidated to ensure an effective transition into adulthood. A positive migration experience during this age period can set young migrants on a successful path toward capitalizing on their accomplishments and developing economic and social assets for their future. However, if migration takes place during these years and the circumstances are negative, the experience can have particularly dire and traumatizing consequences for adolescents’ short- and long-term future. Human beings have always moved for a variety of reasons, and although the need for migration is multifaceted and varies across regions, internal and cross-border human mobility has/can become a positive strategy to cope with environmental stress. This is why it’s important to approach this topic with sensitivity and a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and challenges involved.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated in 2023 that women and girls accounted for 51 per cent of all refugees. Women and girls have specific health needs that are often more difficult to meet during displacement. Menstruation does not stop during crisis; limited access to menstrual products and maternal health are disrupted during climate related disasters, increasing period poverty in displaced communities and establishment of unsafe menstrual practices. Environmental stress also increases disruption to their education and raises significant barriers to returning back to school such as depleted financial resources after experiencing loss of property and death. Disruption in food supply and agricultural activities also impacts food security, with girls and young women often receiving less food or lower quality nutrition when food sources are compromised.

The challenges faced by young girls in the context of migration and climate change are often compounded by their gender and age. A consistent lack of readily available food, health services and clean water leads to a steady decline in their physical and reproductive health. Intersectionality plays a crucial role in understanding the varying vulnerabilities and experiences of different groups and how they influence IDPs’ agency. Understanding this is the first step towards achieving durable solutions in the design of inclusive and effective responses.

Migration and displacement as adaptation discourses has to be grounded in considerations of justice. Analyzing systems as a whole from various angles would enable governments to proffer policy solutions that enable migration that could support effective adaptation while addressing often overlooked non-economic losses and pressures on well-being. The concept of non-economic loss and damage spans a wide range of adverse effects of climate change that affect both human wellbeing and natural systems. Some of these effects are standardly considered in public policies on climate change (e.g. adverse effects on human health or human life) while others (e.g. loss of cultural heritage or social networks) remain less well reflected. Migration can lead to a loss of traditional knowledge and cultural practices, which can impact the resilience of communities left behind, this loss and more need to be taken into consideration when policies that concern IDPs and migrants are being created.

Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach from government agencies, international organizations and educational institutions — one that integrates gender-sensitive policies, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Here are some potential actions and considerations:

• Empowerment: Highlight women’s leadership roles in the face of climate-related movements. While women may face heightened risks of vulnerability, they are also leaders in their homes and communities and are critical actors in shaping responses to climate-related mobility. Focus on empowering young girls through education, skills training and awareness about their rights. This can enhance their resilience and ability to cope with the challenges posed by climate change impacts on their mobility.
• Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies that consider gender dimensions in climate adaptation and migration strategies. This includes ensuring women and girls’ participation in decision-making processes and recognizing their unique needs.
• Support Networks: Across all types of human mobility, common gender-based challenges emerge. Women and girls may face heightened risks to their safety and security during disasters, for instance, sexual and gender-based violence, harassment, sex and labor trafficking, or other rights violations while on the move. Create support networks and safe spaces for young women and girls and their families to access information, resources and protection in times of migration or climate-related crises.
• Education: Prioritize education for young women and girls, as education can empower them and reduce their vulnerability to exploitation. This includes ensuring access to education for displaced populations. Establish temporary learning spaces in displaced persons’ camps or temporary shelters. The development of specialized education programs and developing technology that address the immediate needs of displaced populations and provide education remotely provide a sense of normalcy and continuity in children’s lives. These programs can be designed to provide both academic and psychosocial support.
• Community Resilience: Work with young women in communities to develop strategies that enhance their resilience to climate impacts and minimize the need for migration as a coping mechanism. Women play a central role in their communities and often have valuable knowledge and insights about local environments, allowing women and girls to share experiences, strategies and solutions. This enhances social cohesion and mutual support during challenging times.

Addressing the challenges faced by young women and girls in the context of migration and climate change requires a comprehensive effort that considers the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of these issues. It’s important to amplify their voices, recognize their agency and prioritize their well-being in policies and interventions.