Thematic Briefs: Feminist Movements and Climate Action
Mama Cash’s partners are at the forefront of climate action, leading transformative and locally-led solutions that advance international climate targets and the sustainable development goals. Their work includes innovative approaches to adaptation and mitigation, building community resilience and strengthening cross-movement collaboration to address both the root causes of the climate crisis and ensure just transitions.
The following briefs explore case studies from the feminist movements that Mama Cash supports, covering food security, biodiversity conservation, and holistic approaches to the intersection of disability justice, SRHR and climate action. They demonstrate that gender-transformative, locally led approaches are key to advancing climate justice and delivering on international commitments.
Equitable food systems: advancing food security and building resilience
- Innovative and scalable agroecological practices such as feminist agroecology schools, pilot farms, demonstration plots, and seed conservation
- Biodiversity friendly agricultural approaches in tandem with ecosystem restoration
- Women’s land rights for adaptive capacity, food security, and climate resilience
Transformative action on gender and biodiversity
- Securing territorial rights and strengthening local governance to combat expansion of mining industries
- Influencing biodiversity policy to recognise the traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices of Indigenous peoples, particularly Indigenous women and girls
- Reforestation and restoration initiatives to conserve biodiversity
Feminist movements leading just transitions
- Community knowledge and data to inform gender-transformative just transitions and climate action
- Supporting inclusive just energy transition (JET) labour pipelines as well as enforcing institutional safeguards for environmental defenders
Women with disabilities leading inclusive climate adaptation
- Ensuring climate policies recognise the specific rights, needs, and participation of Indigenous women and women with disabilities
- Effective and disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) such as accessible early-warning systems, evacuation routes, shelters, and protection measures that are integrated into preparedness and response plans
- Accessible information, inclusive infrastructure, SRHR policies, early-warning systems and adaptation plans
Sexual and reproductive health rights and climate justice
- Comprehensive health camps, clinics, and safe spaces in climate change-affected communities
- Effective capacity strengthening of health personnel on how sexual and reproductive health and rights are affected by climate change
- Engagement with local authorities ensuring schools and health centres have access to water, clean restrooms, and free menstrual products
Learn more about Mama Cash’s work on Environmental Justice here: Funding Feminist Climate Action