Climate, Health and Gender: Building Resilience from the Ground Up
Climate change is reshaping health outcomes around the world, but its impacts are rarely experienced in isolation. In many communities, climate risks intersect with healthcare access, livelihoods, ecosystem degradation, food security, gender inequality, and the growing burden of care. Women and children often face the greatest impacts, yet their experiences and priorities remain underrepresented in climate policy and investment discussions.
This discussion will explore how health can be positioned at the center of climate resilience strategies. Participants will examine the links between climate change, community health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), maternal health, livelihoods, conservation, and gender equality. The conversation will consider how climate adaptation efforts can be designed to address these interconnected challenges rather than treating them as separate policy issues.
A particular focus will be on lessons emerging from African communities and institutions, where climate impacts are already driving innovation in community-led adaptation, health delivery, and resilience-building. Participants will explore how local experiences, evidence, and priorities can inform international responses to climate-related health challenges and how health considerations can be better integrated into climate and biodiversity planning processes.
As climate impacts become more complex and far-reaching, resilience will depend on more than infrastructure and technology alone. This conversation will explore why community health, women's health, and care systems are increasingly central to climate adaptation and long-term resilience.
Discussion Group Leaders
Jackline Kiarie is Director of Programmes, Health Systems Strengthening at Amref Health Africa, advancing stronger health systems and public health outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa.
Jessica Pavlos is Head of Development at the Margaret Pyke Trust, advancing the integration of women's rights and health into climate and conservation action.
Mari Tikkanen is CEO and Co-Founder of Scope Impact, advancing climate and health resilience through community-centered technology and governance solutions.
Discussion Questions
How can health be positioned as a core pillar of climate adaptation and resilience rather than simply an outcome of climate impacts?
What role do women's health, maternal health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights play in strengthening climate resilience?
How can climate, health, conservation, and livelihood initiatives be designed to address the interconnected realities facing vulnerable communities?
What lessons from African community-led approaches can help shape national and international responses to the health impacts of climate change?