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Paper short abstract:

This study explores Pahadi women’s adaptive responses to climate change, highlighting the intersection of gender, social structures, and challenges. It reveals how their traditional knowledge and lived experiences inform inclusive, rights-based approaches to equitable climate adaptation strategies.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines the complex interplay between climate change and gender dynamics in Uttarakhand, focusing on the lived experiences of Pahadi women. By integrating qualitative methodologies and first-hand narratives, the research highlights how socio-cultural norms and entrenched inequalities amplify the challenges these women face amid environmental shifts. Pre-existing patriarchal and caste-based structures further marginalize them, restricting access to resources and decision-making power.

Despite these barriers, the study reveals the resilience and adaptive strategies of Pahadi women, who draw on traditional ecological knowledge to navigate changing environmental conditions. However, their efforts remain undervalued and unsupported, pointing to a critical gap in representation within political and policy frameworks.

The research’s novelty lies in its intersectional lens, bringing attention to the unique vulnerabilities and contributions of women in mountainous regions. By shedding light on their indigenous knowledge, the paper argues for transformative, gender-sensitive governance approaches. It emphasizes the urgency of crafting inclusive policies that recognize women’s roles as primary caregivers and stewards of local ecosystems, ensuring their voices inform and shape climate adaptation strategies.

This study contributes to the broader discourse on the politics of care by underscoring the importance of a rights-based eco-social contract. It calls for policies that integrate women’s knowledge and experiences, fostering equitable and sustainable solutions to climate-induced crises. Ultimately, the research makes a compelling case for revaluing care work and dismantling structural inequalities to build resilient health and food systems in the Global South.