Climate Change, Conflict, and Gender Inequality in the MENA Region

Jun 18, 2024 | Zeina Moneer
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The Middle East and North Africa is one of the world’s most gender unequal regions; it will take an estimated 140 years for MENA countries to establish parity between men and women. The existing gender gap has had serious ramifications for women, limiting their access to the labor market and economic empowerment. These women are not only hindered by challenging economic conditions and political instability, but also by restrictive gender norms. 

In addition to rampant gender disparities, the MENA region is also identified as a climate change hot spot; it is home to 13 of the world’s 20 most water-stressed countries. It is expected that about 90 million of the region’s inhabitants will be at risk of water stress by 2025. Additionally, the region is warming faster than the global average. Researchers predict that summer temperatures will rise by 4°C by the end of the century. The combination of heat and drought is set to accelerate desertification, which is extremely concerning for  a region whose terrain is already over 82 percent desert. Existing social problems, like gender inequality, exacerbate these growing environmental hazards. Understanding how climate change intersects with gender in the realm of agriculture, migration, and conflict is key to designing effective and lasting policies that support women’s safety and empowerment.