By Abbas Nazil
A major conference organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna has underscored the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls, emphasizing the urgent need for gender-responsive policies to address rising environmental and security challenges.
The event brought together experts, policymakers, and researchers from across the OSCE’s 57 participating states to examine how climate-related threats such as floods, droughts, and resource scarcity intersect with gender inequalities to heighten vulnerability among women.
Discussions at the conference drew heavily on a comprehensive study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), commissioned by the OSCE, which revealed that traditional gender roles and existing socio-economic disparities significantly shape how individuals experience and respond to climate-induced risks.
Participants highlighted that women and girls often face greater exposure to environmental hazards due to limited access to resources, restricted decision-making power, and increased caregiving responsibilities during crises.
The conference, titled “Resilient Futures: Linking Climate, Gender and Security,” was hosted by the OSCE’s Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities and marked the culmination of a year-long series of regional dialogues and workshops conducted throughout 2025.
Speakers emphasized that integrating gender perspectives into climate and security frameworks is not only a matter of fairness but also critical for achieving more sustainable and effective solutions to the global climate crisis.
Bakyt Dzhusupov, the OSCE Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities, stressed that addressing the intersection of gender and climate action is central to the organization’s mandate and essential for building resilient communities.
Kimmo Laukkanen, Deputy Head of Mission at Finland’s Permanent Mission to the OSCE, noted that empowering women plays a vital role in fostering innovation and strengthening responses to climate challenges.
Researcher Bárbara Magalhães Teixeira of SIPRI highlighted the importance of continued research and evidence-based policymaking to better understand and address the gendered dimensions of climate-related security risks.
Other contributors, including Ireland’s Permanent Representative Brian Flynn and independent expert Silvia Sartori, reinforced the need for inclusive decision-making processes that ensure women’s voices are represented in climate and security strategies.
The conference also showcased practical approaches, including capacity-building initiatives, leadership opportunities for women, and targeted support systems aimed at enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities.
Organizers indicated that insights gathered from the conference and related engagements would inform the development of a practical policy toolkit scheduled for release in 2026.
This toolkit is expected to provide actionable guidance for governments and stakeholders on integrating gender considerations into climate, peace, and security policies.
Experts concluded that without addressing gender inequalities, efforts to combat climate change and its associated risks would remain incomplete and less effective.
The OSCE reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in global climate action, particularly those most affected by environmental and social vulnerabilities.
