Bridging The Climate-Gender Divide Through Climate Change Governance In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This paper attempts to explore the intersection between climate change and gender dynamics within the governance framework of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study asks: to what extent is the gender dimension of climate change prioritized both in the administrative structure and in policymaking by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for inclusive and equitable climate action, particularly after the 18^th Amendment? Employing a rigorous method of triangulation, the study combines primary and secondary data, using interviews and content analysis respectively. The interviews provide nuanced perspectives, experiences, and insights regarding the practical implementation from two climate change cells, administered by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. While the content analysis provides a thorough exploration of the three provincial legal frameworks influence or support gender-sensitive climate governance in the province. Gender Feminist Political Ecology (FPE) serves as a theoretical framework to analyse the primary data findings of the study. Mainstreaming Toolkit (2021) is utilised to evaluate policy document from gender lens. The methodological prism used in the article facilitates a multifaceted view of governance landscape at national and provincial level coupled with the empirically grounded insights for policymakers and practitioners for all-embracing climate action.