Posted on 08 March 2024
As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, women in Tonga are facing the harsh reality of displacement, prompting discussions about seeking new lands to call home. Rising sea levels, increasingly frequent extreme weather events, and coastal erosion are among the factors driving this concern. With their traditional roles often centered around caregiving and family support, women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, as they grapple with the loss of homes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Amidst these challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need for gender-sensitive approaches to climate adaptation and migration policies to ensure the protection and empowerment of women in Tonga and other Pacific Island nations facing similar threats from environmental degradation.