Introduction: Gender and Climate Action in the Middle East and North Africa – Understanding the Intersections

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one of the most affected by climate change in the 21st century and one of the most gender unequal. The region is grappling with both water and heat stress, which exacerbate ongoing processes of desertification, erosion, and environmental degradation, severely impacting food production and accelerating dependence on food imports. The situation is further aggravated by rapid urbanization, deepening socio-economic and gender inequalities, a slowdown in global economic activity, and ongoing political conflicts. Additionally and according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report 2023, the region is the furthest away from equality with a 62.6% parity score suggesting that it would take 152 years to fully attain parity.