Addressing Gender Disparities in Climate Change
As climate change continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods globally, its impact is not gender-neutral. Women and marginalised communities are often disproportionately affected, facing more significant exposure to risks, reduced access to resources, and limited participation in decision-making processes. Addressing these disparities is critical for effective and sustainable climate adaptation and risk management. This Executive Certificate is designed to strengthen the technical capacities of policymakers, professionals, and advocates in incorporating gender perspectives into climate and disaster risk strategies. It fosters a holistic approach to sustainable development, ensuring that gender equity becomes a fundamental pillar of climate resilience efforts.
Programme Structure and Learning Outcomes
The programme offers a rigorous curriculum structured around four online modules and two online or face-to-face interactive workshops held in Geneva and an African city. Participants will acquire analytical and practical skills to assess gender disparities in climate risk management. They will develop an understanding of the role of gender in climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster response frameworks while learning how to create innovative tools and strategies to address gender inequality in climate change policies and disaster risk management. The curriculum integrates real-world case studies and expert-led discussions on gender-responsive climate governance. In addition to gaining knowledge, participants will join a dynamic international network of professionals working at the intersection of gender, climate, and risk management.
Who Should Apply?
Designed for professionals working in policy, development, humanitarian aid, and the private sector, this course blends international frameworks with regional best practices, mainly focusing on the Global South. The interdisciplinary approach draws from governance, economics, and social justice, empowering participants to implement gender-sensitive solutions in their sectors. The learning experience fosters collaboration with government representatives, civil society leaders, and international experts, creating cross-sectoral partnerships that drive meaningful change. The combination of online and in-person sessions allows participants to balance their professional commitments while benefiting from interactive discussions and networking opportunities.
This Executive Certificate is ideal for government officials responsible for disaster risk management and climate policy implementation, private sector actors engaged in disaster risk initiatives, civil society representatives advocating for gender-responsive climate action, youth and emerging leaders seeking careers in climate and disaster resilience, as well as representatives of regional and international organisations involved in climate and sustainability projects.
A Strong Partnership for Impact
The programme is implemented in partnership with Alfajiri WHeT and the African Risk Capacity – ARC, which is mandated to assist African Union member states in better planning, preparing, and responding to climate-related disasters. This collaboration ensures that participants gain firsthand insights into Africa’s pioneering approaches to disaster resilience and gender-responsive climate governance. As Eva Kavuma, Acting Director General of ARC, aptly says, “Enhancing the knowledge of women leaders in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change is critical for building resilience of vulnerable populations in Africa.”
For more information, visit our website page: executive.graduateinstitute.ch/gender-risk