Gender Climate Awards 2025 Spotlight Pakistan’s Climate Heroines
From climate journalism to grassroots action, Pakistani women are redefining resilience and leading the fight against climate change with bold, community-driven solutions.
ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan faces intensifying climate risks, a powerful movement is reshaping its response — one led by women. From sustainable farming and solar energy to community resilience and environmental storytelling, women across the country are stepping up as the architects of change.
Recognizing this leadership, the Gender Climate Awards (GCA) 2025 — now in their third edition — were held in Islamabad, co-hosted by UNDP, Embassy of France, Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), and other key partners, including PPAF, UN Women, and Aga Khan Foundation.
The event brought together government leaders, youth advocates, civil society voices, and media, all united by one mission: to affirm the central role of women in building climate resilience.
Aisha Khan, CEO of the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change, opened the ceremony with a resounding message: “Civil society remains fully committed to pushing for gender-responsive climate action — boldly and ambitiously.”
Out of 275 nationwide applications, the jury selected two standout winners:
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Anusha Fatima (Climate Action) – for her work on localized, community-based climate solutions
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Aisha Farrukh (Climate Journalism) – for elevating underrepresented voices through powerful reporting
Their recognition is more than symbolic — it reflects a growing shift in climate governance. UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen stressed that “the labour of climate adaptation often falls on women — from fetching water to managing crises. Equity must be built into these systems.”
The ceremony featured two key panel discussions:
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Institutional Leaders from UNDP, UN Women, PPAF, and Aga Khan Foundation shared how they’re embedding gender equality into climate frameworks.
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Award winners and alumni shared field experiences and the challenges of working at the intersection of gender and environment.
Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP’s Resident Representative, delivered a poignant message: “Climate shocks deepen existing inequalities. We can’t just rebuild roads and bridges — we must rebuild systems that empower women to lead recovery.”
Ambassador Nicolas Galey of France affirmed his country’s partnership on gender-climate priorities in Pakistan, calling the GCA a symbol of “shared global responsibility.”
Minister of State for Climate Change, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, presented the awards and praised the women’s achievements. “These stories remind us that women are not just vulnerable to climate change — they are the backbone of our resilience,” she said.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the 2025 Gender Climate Awards reaffirmed this truth: resilience is strongest when it is inclusive.
