Climate turmoil and government inefficiency disproportionately impact women during flood disasters in Pakistan
In August 2021, Karachi, Pakistan's largest city with a population of 25 million, was flooded. The downpour, while a common occurrence in monsoon seasons, became a reminder of the colliding effects of climate change, weak governance, and entrenched patriarchy, disproportionately affecting women.
During the floods, working women in Karachi's society, often faced with disapproval, found themselves stranded in flooded streets without transport or safe passage. This situation posed a significant risk to their dignity, safety, and survival. For men, the flooding meant hours of frustration on clogged streets.
The impact of climate change on women in Karachi is often overlooked. During floods, women lose more than mobility; they also lose security. In the flooded conditions, women were stranded in knee- or waist-deep water, with dead phones, no electricity, no transport, and no one to call for help.
Organisations like the BRICS New Development Bank, which finances infrastructure projects, and NGOs like Help, which promote disaster preparedness, healthcare, and emergency teams, particularly for vulnerable groups including women, have been active. The UNHCR also engages in protecting particularly endangered individuals, a category that includes women.
However, until Pakistan addresses the gendered impact of climate change and poor governance, every downpour will continue to represent state failure rather than just rain. The collapse of governance in Karachi during monsoons is a recurring issue. Public transport vanished, roads turned into rivers, and cars and bikes broke down.
Women from low- and middle-income households, relying on public buses or rickshaws, were abandoned during the monsoons. Urban women, including students, nurses, teachers, and office workers, are equally at risk from the effects of climate change and civic mismanagement.
Climate disasters in Karachi deepen the vulnerability of women in a patriarchal system that already polices their movements. The flooding served as a stark reminder that climate change does not act in isolation but collides with weak governance and entrenched patriarchy, disproportionately affecting women. At least 12 people died in rain-related incidents in Karachi, and the administration was reported to routinely disappear when its citizens needed it most.
In the face of these challenges, it is crucial to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens, particularly women. Organisations and governments must work together to improve infrastructure, promote disaster preparedness, and ensure that no one is left stranded during climate disasters.
