Gender Mainstreaming in Strategies and Policies Addressing Climate Change. The Case of Ghana.

Abstract

This thesis examines the integration of gender perspectives into climate change policies in Ghana, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for gender mainstreaming within national climate strategies. The study used a qualitative methodology, evaluating key documents such as the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (NCCAS), Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (GH-NDCs), and various international agreements Ghana is a signatory to, including the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol. Despite the growing recognition of gender's role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, the research reveals that while gender-responsive policies are acknowledged, practical implementation remains inconsistent. The study highlights the critical role of women, especially in rural areas, who are disproportionately affected by climate change due to their social roles in agriculture, water collection, and household resource management. Key challenges to effective gender mainstreaming in Ghana’s climate policies include cultural norms, insufficient political will, lack of gender-disaggregated data, limited financial resources, and weak institutional frameworks. However, there are significant opportunities for advancing gender equality through targeted capacity-building programs, improved access to resources and climate financing for women, and the strengthening of institutional collaboration between gender and climate-related agencies. One key recommendation the study found was to increase the number of women leaders involved in developing climate policies so that they can better integrate women’s perspectives and ensure that gender responsive measures are fully implemented in policy strategies. The thesis concludes that while progress has been made, further efforts are needed to ensure that gender-sensitive strategies are fully implemented, empowering women to take on leadership roles in climate governance and adaptation efforts. Addressing these barriers will be crucial for building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable climate future in Ghana.