Harnessing Potential of Rural Women to Lead Climate Change Adaptation - Pakistan

This activity is attempting to solve the issue of solid waste pollution in the streets of Lahore, Pakistan. Women groups have identified local solutions to address solid waste management in their community. After mapping local resources and vulnerabilities, women developed partnerships with the local government, which has led to the establishment of waste management task forces.

Fast facts:

More than 11,000 women have directly benefitted from this activity;
The women community groups run campaigns for climate change with other women groups.

The problem

Community members pay the government to collect solid waste from their houses and those who are unable to pay throw their solid waste into the street, making it difficult for people to walk without getting stagnant water splashed on their clothes.

The solution

In their roles as household managers and caretakers, women demonstrated more interest than men in learning how to protect their families from climate change related issues. The women community groups identified local solutions to address the solid waste management issue. They proposed a project to the Environment Protection Agency in Lahore to install trashcans on the streets.

Helping the planet

The provision of the trashcans and the awareness generated from installing them transformed solid waste management in the community, making it a healthier environment.

Helping people

The awareness component helped the women community groups understand climate change. They completed a survey to map information on the current scenarios of climate changes affecting their lives. This “vulnerability index” tool was used to assess level of risk faced by each household with preparation of a response plans for worst come instances. The group proposed a cost effective “climate change kit” consisting of emergency items like candles, lanterns, etc. It was developed for households to use in the event of extreme weather events faced frequently after the 2010 floods.

Scaling Up

This activity can be scaled up wherever there are women interested in learning how to protect their families from climate change related issues.