The gendered trap: climate policy, inequality, and adaptation lock-ins in Global South Cities

The differential vulnerability to climate change across genders is already well acknowledged, highlighting the differential experiences of women at the intersection of gender, power dynamics, social structure and norms. Despite increased attention to women in climate change policies and actions, women continue to remain one of the most vulnerable groups and in many instances their vulnerability is increasing. The paper argues that this is (partially) due to the inadequate conceptualisation of women in relevant policies, and the problematic implementation of climate change policies and programmes. Using Dhaka as the case study, it specifically focuses on women living in low-income-urban-settlements and unpacks the nuanced and complex processes that form systemic gendered barriers within climate adaptation. Systems analyses is adopted not only to develop a holistic understanding of how those barriers are produced but also to explore their implications. Utilising data collected through surveys, focus groups and interviews, and analysed via a grounded theory-systems analysis approach, the paper demonstrates how inadequate conceptualisation of ‘women’ and problematic implementation of climate change policies can often lead to gender(ed) maladaptation and further reinforce gendered vulnerability. Furthermore, it demonstrates how the conventional macro-level adaptation practices are creating ‘adaptation and development lock-ins’ trapping the women. This paper calls for a paradigm-shift in conceptualising women in adaptation policy discourses, recognising the discursive and pluralistic processes that create systemic adaptation barriers. By unpacking the underlying processes that generate these systemic barriers, policy discourse can move towards a more holistic understanding of vulnerability and adaptation, thereby enabling the promotion of truly meaningful inclusion.