Why El Niño responses must address women’s needs
A gender and climate justice summit in Nairobi highlighted the disproportionate impact of extreme weather on women in informal settlements. Advocates are calling for gender-responsive climate budgeting to ensure disaster relief reaches vulnerable populations effectively.
Why it matters
It underscores the need for inclusive disaster management policies that account for gender-specific vulnerabilities during climate crises.
Teresia (identified only by her first name) remained in her wheelchair inside her flooded house for three days last March during a downpour.
The water had risen around Mathare, an informal settlement in Nairobi County, leaving the physically disabled mother raising her children alone stranded. No one was there to care for them. This is one of the women featured in a video of women from informal settlements in Nairobi sharing their experiences with extreme weather patterns.
The video was shared on September 29, 2026, during a gender and climate justice summit in Nairobi. The summit, organised by Xolani Women of Hope, brought together women from Nairobi County, climate and environment government agencies, climate non-state organisations and researchers.
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