Empowering women to safeguard aquatic food systems in a changing climate

Aquatic foods, sourced from inland and marine fisheries or cultivated through aquaculture, are vital pillars for global food security, poverty alleviation, and economic development. Across the world, millions of people depend on these aquatic food systems (AFS) for their livelihoods and sustenance. However, these systems are facing growing threats from human activities. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the worsening impacts of climate change are placing unprecedented pressure on AFS.

The changing climate, marked by rising temperatures, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events, compounds these challenges. Without intervention, lower-income countries in Africa, the Indo-Pacific, and South and Southeast Asia stand to face the gravest risks by 2100. The consequences will affect nutrition, health, social structures, economies, and the environment. Ironically, higher-income countries contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions and are projected to experience comparatively lower climate risks.

However, not everyone experiences these challenges equally. The harshest impacts of climate change fall on those who already live with inequality. Women, in particular, are disproportionately vulnerable due to their reliance on natural resources and the burdens of household, caregiving, and productive labor. Despite their critical role in AFS, women often lack the resources and opportunities to adapt, restrained by entrenched gender norms and power imbalances.

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