Climate Change is Driving the Future’s Refugee Crisis

By Virginia Terry

World Refugee Day is is a time to commemorate the resilience and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes. It also reminds us of how connected our world is and how events that may seem distant still impact us all. In the coming decades, we are expected to witness an unprecedented mass displacement of people, which will disproportionately affect women and girls. Climate migration is undeniably a gender issue, and it’s crucial to place girls and women at the center of our solutions.

Today there is a huge gender disparity in leadership. The UN Climate Change Convention, where important climate decisions were made, is a glaring example. Year after year, women make up a minority of the negotiators and only a fraction of the heads of state who participate.

On this World Refugee Day, we invite you to learn more about Girl Rising's work to promote girls' education, challenge gender norms, and support young women climate leaders who are driving change in their communities and beyond.

Together, we can highlight the urgency of addressing climate migration as a gender issue, and take the necessary action to prioritize the rights of girls and women so that they have an equal role in creating a more sustainable world.

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