The Climate-Gender-Mobility Nexus
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it's a potent "threat multiplier" that disproportionately harms women in agriculture-dependent economies. This creates a critical paradox: while climate distress increases the pressure to migrate, it also amplifies the barriers that prevent women from doing so, leading to "involuntary immobility."
of Nepal's agricultural workforce are women.
of Bangladesh's agricultural workforce are women.
people could be displaced by climate change in Bangladesh by 2050.
The Paradox of Immobility
Climate Shocks
Drought, floods, crop failure
Economic Distress
Loss of income & livelihood
Gendered Barriers
Social norms, care burden, policy
Women face unique barriers: restrictive social norms, the burden of unpaid care work, lack of access to finance, and policies that limit their mobility, trapping them in vulnerable situations.
Involuntary Immobility
Trapped between crises
Livelihoods Under Pressure
In both Nepal and Bangladesh, women form the backbone of the agricultural sector. This section explores their specific vulnerabilities to climate change and the barriers that restrict their ability to migrate as an adaptation strategy.
Vulnerability Profile: Nepal
With over 70% of the agricultural workforce being female, Nepali women are on the front lines of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased droughts and floods directly impact their livelihoods, leading to declining crop yields and heightened food insecurity. This is compounded by limited land ownership and access to credit.
Socio-Cultural Barriers
Strong public stigma against female migrants, who are often stereotyped as "spoilt" (*bigreko*), leading to social ostracization upon return.
Policy & Legal Barriers
A history of government bans and age restrictions on women migrating for domestic work pushes many towards riskier, irregular channels.
Economic & Household Barriers
Limited ownership of assets to finance migration costs and a heavy burden of unpaid care work for family members act as a "tether."
Vulnerability Profile: Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, where women comprise over 50% of the agricultural workforce, the primary threats are sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, and cyclones. These hazards destroy crops, kill livestock, and degrade land, leading to catastrophic income loss. Women face limited land rights and poor access to finance and technical support.
Socio-Cultural Barriers
Deep-seated patriarchal norms restrict women's mobility and economic independence, though social stigma is slowly lessening.
Policy & Legal Barriers
Past restrictions on female migration, framed as protection, have been eased, but bureaucratic hurdles and a protectionist mindset persist.
Economic & Household Barriers
Limited access to credit and resources. Marital migration is sometimes used as a strategy, but can require higher dowry payments.
A New Horizon of Opportunity
Ambitious economic diversification plans in GCC countries (like Saudi Vision 2030) are creating significant demand for skilled labor in new, high-growth sectors. This shift presents a potential pathway for skilled female migrant workers, but it requires bridging the gap between their current situation and the needs of these evolving markets.
The Dual Reality of GCC Labor Markets
GCC labor markets present a two-tiered system. The first tier involves the active promotion and empowerment of national women into professional roles. The second tier is composed of migrant women who fill critical labor gaps but often operate under the more restrictive *Kafala* (sponsorship) system.
The key challenge and opportunity is to elevate the standards, rights, and protections for migrant women to align with the empowerment narrative being applied to national women. This requires tackling structural inequities and advocating for equal protection under labor law for all.
In Saudi Arabia, female labor force participation surged from ~17% to **36.2%** since the launch of Vision 2030, far exceeding the initial target.
The Bridge: Gender-Responsive Skills Mobility Partnerships (SMPs)
SMPs offer a structured, "triple-win" solution to connect climate-affected women with high-demand jobs. They move beyond simple recruitment to focus on human capital development, creating benefits for sending countries, receiving countries, and the migrant workers themselves.
How a Skills Mobility Partnership Works
1. Partnership
Governments, employers, and training institutions collaborate.
2. Targeted Training
Dual-track curriculum for domestic and foreign market needs.
3. Certification
Skills are mutually recognized by both countries.
4. Mobility
Graduates access safe, regular migration pathways.
Click on a step above to see more details.
A Call to Action: Policy & Research
To translate this analysis into action, a coordinated response is needed from all stakeholders. This includes direct policy interventions and a dedicated agenda for future research to build a robust evidence base for policy-making.
For Labour-Sending Countries
- Reform restrictive migration policies to create safe, legal pathways.
- Invest in gender-transformative vocational training (TVET).
- Launch campaigns to combat negative social norms around female migration.
- Strengthen reintegration programs for returnee women.
For Labour-Receiving Countries
- Accelerate and deepen Kafala system reforms.
- Establish streamlined mechanisms for skills recognition.
- Co-invest in skills creation in sending countries.
- Promote inclusive and safe workplaces for all migrant workers.
For the Abu Dhabi Dialogue
- Broker and pilot gender-responsive SMPs between member states.
- Establish a knowledge hub for sharing best practices.
- Promote sustained multi-stakeholder dialogue.
- Champion the climate-mobility agenda in global forums.