Under the UKAID-supported programme, "Advancing Environmental Protection, Climate Change, and Democratic Resilience in Georgia: Phase 2," Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) announces the release of the study report presentation, "Climate Change Impact on Women's Vulnerability in Georgia."

This groundbreaking study investigates the intricate relationship between systemic issues faced by women in Georgian society and the impact of climate change. The study unveils the vulnerabilities of women by exploring how climate change affects their social, economic, cultural, and political lives in both rural and urban areas. Moreover, the study seeks to identify opportunities, traditional knowledge, and solutions from the perspective of women, aiming to empower them and enhance their resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change impacts.

Key research findings:

Observed patterns and impacts:

• Women in Georgia identified severe climate change effects, including intensified droughts, soil erosion, increased strong winds, heatwaves, unpredictable weather patterns, more frequent hailstorms, and shorter spring and fall seasons.
• Variations in perceptions were noted between urban and rural women, with rural women expressing a more acute awareness of and interest in learning about climate change.

Impact categories:

• Climate change impacts differ between urban and rural areas. Rural women reported reduced food supply, limited crop diversity, and decreased income due to droughts, while urban women faced health and food supply challenges.
• Heatwaves significantly impacted the health of women in both settings, leading to increased stress and reduced safety.

Disaster risks and response:

• Over half of the respondents reported living in hazard risk zones, experiencing events like droughts, strong winds, floods, and hailstorms. These disasters caused damage to housing, infrastructure, agricultural lands, cultural heritage sites, and pastures.
• Women predominantly relied on family members or neighbors for assistance during disasters, emphasizing the need for more robust disaster response systems.
• Dissatisfaction was expressed with the lack of early warnings before disasters, highlighting the importance of preparedness, especially for women with children.

WFD encourages stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to engage with the study report to deepen their understanding of the unique challenges women face in the context of climate change in Georgia. The insights derived from this research can inform targeted initiatives and policies to empower and safeguard women in the face of climate-related vulnerabilities.