The Gambia is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, facing threats such as rising sea levels and more frequent and intense disasters. Recurring droughts and floods lead to significant economic and social losses, highlighting the nation’s vulnerability. These climate-related events disproportionately affect women and marginalised social groups due to factors like reliance on rain-fed agriculture and limited access to resources. Prevailing socio-cultural norms – such as the gendered division of labour with implications for income generation and resource accumulation, as well as financial inclusion – further amplify the susceptibility of these groups to climate shocks.
Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) has emerged as a critical set of tools to enhance resilience and provide financial protection against climate-related hazards. However, the effectiveness and equity of CDRFI mechanisms hinge on the integration of gender considerations to address specific barriers to the access, usage, and benefit of CDRFI. Ensuring that CDRFI initiatives are designed and implemented with a gender lens is paramount to achieving just and sustainable outcomes as women often face structural inequalities, such as limited control over productive assets and lower financial literacy, that prevent them from fully utilising risk-transfer instruments.
Despite the recognition of gender equality and social inclusion in various national policies, significant disparities persist within The Gambian society. Women, men, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and marginalised minority groups experience the impacts of climate change and disasters differently. These existing inequalities often exacerbate the vulnerability of certain groups and impede their access to and benefits from CDRFI mechanisms. This report aims to address this critical need by analysing the extent to which gender considerations are currently integrated into CDRFI in The Gambia, identifying key challenges and gaps, and providing actionable recommendations for fostering a more inclusive and resilient future.
