Closing the gender data gap to enhance climate adaptation in urban Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, more than 40% of households are headed by women. And, despite some policy advances, women and girls face disproportionate climate risks, especially in informal urban settlements. 

Although some local initiatives by women-led grassroots organisations are improving resilience, persistent social norms, socioeconomic inequalities, underrepresentation and insufficient data continue to hinder progress. 

Disaggregated data collection reveals the impact of disasters on women and the importance of their leadership in adaptation efforts. Scaling up efforts to develop gender-responsive strategies and integrate women’s voices into policy and planning will help to close the gender data gap, and lead to more equitable
and sustainable urban climate adaptation.