From Policy to Action: Empowering Women to Lead Climate Resilience in Indonesia

Women face disproportionate impacts from climate change due to significant barriers to accessing education and protection. In Indonesia, women often lack access to essential resources and opportunities, particularly in urban informal settlements. However, women also hold a pivotal position in the community in advancing climate literacy. Despite progressive regulations supporting women’s rights, gaps in implementation persist, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives to enhance women’s understanding of climate issues and their capacity to lead resilience efforts. Indonesia has established strong policies for gender equality and climate action, such as Presidential Regulation No. 59/2017 and the National Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation (RAN-API), which emphasize gender-responsive strategies. However, translating these policies into real-world actions remains a challenge, highlighting the need to better connect scientific research and community insights to effective governance and implementation. This study identifies a critical gap in urban climate literacy and proposes empowering women as a solution. By leveraging women’s social network in Indonesia, the project disseminates climate knowledge and fosters collective action. Key initiatives include training women in climate literacy, introducing sustainable practices such as urban gardening, and developing accessible educational tools like songs, games, and visual materials. These programs are designed to position women as trusted leaders within their communities. Structured monitoring and evaluation methods, including annual surveys and peer-led literacy programs, ensure continuous improvement and scalability. Preliminary findings demonstrate that women-led climate literacy initiatives significantly enhance community resilience and resource allocation. Empowered women influence their families and peers, creating a ripple effect that strengthens societal adaptability. This scalable model integrates women-centered initiatives into governance frameworks, building pathways for sustainable, inclusive development. By empowering women, we transform vulnerability into strength, paving the way for a resilient future.