Gender Equality and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Intersectional Analysis of Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps – A Scoping Review

Gender Equality and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Intersectional Analysis of Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps – A Scoping Review | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Gender Equality and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Intersectional Analysis of Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps – A Scoping Review INNOCENT MUHWEZI, JOHN BOSCO TURYASINGURA This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6817879/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Gender disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa heighten the vulnerability of women and marginalized groups to climate variation because they rely on climate-sensitive livelihoods. However, systemic barriers and entrenched norms hinder their roles in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. This review paper explored how gender disparities intersect with climate change by examining vulnerabilities, the capacity of marginalized genders for adaptation and mitigation, and policy gaps hindering gender-responsive climate action in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper methodically mapped studies on gender equality and climate change using the PRISMA-SCR methodological framework. The paper analyzed 25 peer-reviewed articles (2016–2024) to explore intersections between gender disparities, climate impacts, and policies. Key findings indicate that compared to men, women experience heightened vulnerabilities. These gendered vulnerabilities to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa are rooted in systemic exclusion, limited access to resources, insecure land tenure, cultural norms, and inadequate representation in decision-making processes. Despite these challenges, women play a crucial role in climate adaptation through their local knowledge, community initiatives, and innovative solutions, highlighting significant capacities that enhance climate resilience. However, critical policy gaps of lack of gender-responsive frameworks, absence of gender-disaggregated data, and limited capacity-building initiatives, which hinder effective climate action and inclusive climate action persist. Therefore, bridging these gaps through inclusive gender-sensitive policies is essential for fostering sustainable development and ensuring equitable climate resilience. Nevertheless, addressing these challenges requires coordinated global and regional efforts to mainstream gender in climate policies through targeted empowerment, capacity-building, gender-sensitive policies, and gender-disaggregated data collection. Gender Equality Climate Chang Vulnerabilities Capacities Policy Gaps SSA Figures Figure 1 1. Introduction The intersection of gender equality and climate change is increasingly recognized in global development, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where socioeconomic and gender disparities exacerbate vulnerabilities to climate impacts (Okesanya et al., 2024; UNEP, 2023). Notably, over 60% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa are employed in agriculture, producing approximately 70% of the continent’s food (Alston, 2014). This heavy reliance on climate-sensitive livelihoods means that climate change disproportionately affects women and marginalized groups, worsening existing inequalities and posing significant challenges to their economic stability and well-being (Rao et al., 2019; Djoudi et al., 2016). Moreover, despite their vulnerability, these groups are crucial for climate adaptation and mitigation due to their knowledge, leadership, and community involvement (Belsey, 2022); Van Duijn (2021). However, persistent gaps in policy frameworks, unequal resource access, and entrenched gender norms hinder their contributions (Dankelman, 2010; Spitzer, 2023; Skinner, 2011). Consequently, addressing these challenges necessitates a thorough analysis of vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps to provide future considerations for gender-responsive climate action in the region. Therefore, this review aims to explore the intersection between gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa by synthesizing research on gender disparities, climate impacts, and policy responses. The review intended to highlight gendered vulnerabilities in climate risks, identify policy gaps, and provide insights for strengthening inclusive climate strategies to mitigate and adapt to each gender's unique needs. Particularly, addressing these key three questions; What are the main gendered vulnerabilities associated with climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa?; How do capacities vary between genders in responding to climate change impacts?; and What are the existing policy gaps in addressing gender and climate change issues? By definition, gender equality refers to a state where individuals of all genders enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and obligations, eliminating discrimination towards creating a levelled playing field where men, women, and non-binary individuals can thrive equally (UN Women, 2020). In this context, Kabeer (2005) adds that it involves enabling individuals to make choices free from systemic constraints. Similarly, climate change is described as the long-lasting alterations in climate patterns that are primarily driven by human activities like fossil fuel use (IPCC, 2007; IPCC, 2021). Furthermore, Denton (2002) emphasizes that climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities, especially women, since they have less access to resources and decision-making authority. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) includes all countries south of the Sahara Desert, excluding North African nations like Egypt and Libya (UN, 2021). Despite challenges such as poverty, political instability, and colonial legacies (Alesina & La Ferrara, 2005), the region has significant natural resources and emerging markets. However, it is highly vulnerable to climate change, exacerbating issues like food insecurity (IMF, 2022). Agriculture and urbanization are central to its development, with international organizations increasingly addressing its opportunities and challenges (AfDB, 2020; World Bank, 2021). Therefore, understanding these dynamics is essential, particularly in exploring the link between gender disparities and climate change, necessitating transformative policies and actions. Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its socioeconomic and environmental conditions. The IPCC (2021) highlights that marginalized groups, especially women and girls, face disproportionate impacts from climate events like droughts and floods. Women, comprising 54–63% of the poor in Africa (UNDP, 2022), are more susceptible to adverse effects due to limited access to resources such as land and education. Despite calls for gender integration in climate policies, the intersection of gender and climate resilience remains underexplored in African contexts (Van Aelst & Holvoet, 2016; Denton, 2002). Rwanda’s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (2011) exemplifies efforts to include gender in national climate action. In addition, global efforts to integrate climate change and gender equality strategies, such as the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan, have advanced over the past two decades, promoting women’s empowerment in climate action (UNFCCC, 2019). However, implementation in African countries faces barriers, including inadequate funding, patriarchal norms, and weak political will (Terry, 2009; Kwauk et al., 2019). For instance, Ghana’s National Climate Change Policy promotes gender-responsive approaches but lacks monitoring frameworks (MESTI, 2013), while Uganda’s policy advocates inclusivity but struggles with fragmented local governance (MWE, 2015). South Africa’s Climate Change Response White Paper highlights gaps in gender mainstreaming due to insufficient data, weak institutional capacity, and low female representation, hindering gender-sensitive resilience (Babugura et al., 2010). Furthermore, empirical studies highlight persistent vulnerabilities and structural barriers for women in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, such as unpaid care work, limiting their participation in climate initiatives and access to technology and agricultural inputs (Jost et al., 2016; Perez et al., 2015). These challenges reinforce gender disparities and hinder adaptive capacities, particularly in agriculture. A UNDP Uganda report (2022) calls for tailored interventions addressing gender-specific challenges. Rwanda’s Climate Resilient Agricultural Sector Strategy (2014) emphasizes gender mainstreaming, though implementation is inconsistent. Chagutah (2010) argues that national climate policies in Southern Africa often lack effective community-based monitoring, a concern also noted in South Africa's Gender Climate Change Strategy (South African Department of Environment, 2011), which lacks monitoring mechanisms. Despite these challenges, there is growing recognition of women's transformative role in building climate resilience, with research showing that empowering women in agricultural value chains enhances food security and adaptive capacity to climate change (Kristjanson et al., 2017). In particular, community-led initiatives in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda leverage indigenous knowledge with women at the forefront of resource management (Nielsen et al., 2019). Rwanda’s successful gender-responsive empowerment initiatives in forestry and renewable energy offer scalable models (Rwanda, 2011), while South Africa’s renewable energy projects include gender-sensitive policies but struggle to ensure equal female participation (Carr & Thompson, 2014). Thus, the lack of robust models alongside insufficient policy alignment accentuates the pressing need for actionable frameworks that promote inclusive climate resilience across Sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, existing policies in countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa recognize the significance of gender equality but lack robust mechanisms to address structural barriers and resource constraints. For instance, in Uganda, only 35% of climate adaptation programs explicitly include gender considerations (MWE Uganda, 2015), while in Rwanda, despite 40% of senior government positions being held by women, gender-sensitive budgeting for climate initiatives remains under 25% (Rwanda, 2011). Similarly, in South Africa, only 28% of climate response initiatives report gender-specific outcomes, highlighting challenges in monitoring and evaluation (Climate Response White Paper South Africa, 2011). Consequently, the convergence of gender inequality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive analysis of gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps. Therefore, building on the recommendations of Adeola & Evans (2024), the ongoing requires synthesizing empirical studies on various components into a unified document to guide gender-responsive climate policy formulation, action and future research in the region. Therefore, the current paper envisions merging this critical knowledge from different academic articles in one document by conducting a scoping review, concentrating on gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa’s adaption to climate change. Through synthesizing findings from 25 academic peer-reviewed articles to provide a comprehensive grasp of gender equality and climate change interplay, actionable recommendations for enhancing gender equity and adaptability to the effects of climate change, offering pathways for policy improvement and future research across the Sub-Saharan region. Consequently, this review study is relevant as it's expected to address the interconnected challenges of gender inequality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the disproportionate impacts on women and girls. In analyzing research articles, it identifies gaps in gender-responsive policies and offers recommendations for inclusive climate action. It contributes to academic discourse by analyzing both vulnerabilities and capacities, emphasizing women’s potential as agents of change while exploring the role of men and boys as allies in achieving gender equity. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, contributing to holistic efforts to promote climate resilience and gender equality. Besides, this review contributes to the call for 2015 UN SDG Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG Goal 13 (Climate Action), targeting to advance gender-responsive climate action and resilience as articulated by UN Women (2015), Alston (2014), and Masika (2019). Going forward, immediately after this introduction, the review follows with a detailed methodology, then presents the results and discussion, including a section on sub-Saharan Africa's context from a global perspective. The conclusion offers policy recommendations, followed by future research directions, limitations, ethical considerations, references, and appendices. 2. Methodology 2.1. Study Design This scoping review adopted the PRISMA-SCR methodological framework. This is the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline (Tricco et al., 2018; Peters et al., 2021; Munn et al., 2018) PRISMA-SCR is within the 2020 Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) manual of frameworks for scoping reviews. This approach emphasizes greater rigour in defining the research question, systematically selecting relevant studies, extracting and organizing data, and synthesizing key findings. It is a structured and detailed approach to scoping reviews, resulting in a well-organized synthesis of the existing literature (Hadie, 2024). JBI (2020) offers a nine-step PRISMA-SCR approach to ensure systematic and transparent evidence synthesis. It involves identifying a broad research question, developing a detailed protocol, and setting clear eligibility criteria. Relevant studies are identified through a comprehensive search, followed by a two-step selection process with independent reviewers. Data is extracted using a standardized form, charted in tables, and summarized narratively. The findings are synthesized to highlight key themes, gaps, and future research areas. An optional stakeholder consultation step to enhance the review’s relevance and comprehensiveness. This structured approach enabled a comprehensive understanding of the topic and highlighted areas for further research and policy development. Therefore, the framework guided the author to map the available evidence on the connection between climate change and gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa systematically, with an emphasis on identifying key concepts, research gaps, and the scope of existing studies. The review began with identifying the research question, the paper aimed to explore the intersection of gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps. The key research questions included; What are the main gendered vulnerabilities associated with climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa? How do capacities vary between genders in responding to climate change impacts? and What are the existing policy gaps in addressing gender and climate change issues? 2.2 Search Strategy The second stage involved identifying relevant studies. Taking into account the population, the review's interest, the intervention, and the context (PIIC), a thorough search strategy was formulated for the review. This made it easier to conduct systematic searches across electronic databases, namely; SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, which are regarded as important interdisciplinary databases that cover a wide range of scholarly literature. Keywords combined with Boolean operators were used, such as allintitle: "Gender equality" OR "Women's empowerment" AND "Climate Change" OR “Vulnerabilities” OR “Capacities” OR “Policy Gaps” OR "Sub-Saharan Africa" OR Africa. Limiters/Filters applied included “Peer-Reviewed” articles, “English Language,” and publication years (2010–2024). This search yielded a total of 564 articles: 409 from Google Scholar, 75 from Web of Science, and 80 from SCOPUS. These articles form the foundation for the formulation of gender-responsive climate policies in sub-Saharan Africa. Refer to Appendix 1 for details of the search of three databases’ queries. 2.3 Criteria for Inclusion and Exclusion. The article selection involved a three-phase screening process to ensure relevance and rigour. From 564 initial records, duplicates were removed, leaving 289 articles. Titles and abstracts were screened to exclude unrelated studies, reducing the number to 90. A full-text review of these 90 articles excluded those that did not address vulnerabilities, capacities, or policy gaps between climate change and gender equity or were beyond the scope of Sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in 25 articles that were retained for the final review. a) Inclusion Criteria The studies selected for analysis, published between 2010 and 2024, focus on identifying trends in gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in climate change within Sub-Saharan Africa over the past 15 years. This timeframe ensures the inclusion of contemporary perspectives on gender equality and climate change in the region. The emphasis on English-published publications is justified by its widespread use in Sub-Saharan African academic and policy discourse, facilitating access to regionally and internationally relevant research. The study prioritizes peer-reviewed articles, particularly those indexed in SCOPUS, to enhance credibility and academic rigour. These criteria aim to provide a robust, up-to-date analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa’s gendered climate change dimensions, drawing from credible, relevant, and reliable research to inform findings and conclusions. b) Exclusion Criteria This review excluded all the studies conducted outside Sub-Saharan Africa, as the aim was to specifically examine gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in this region. Besides, articles not published in English were also excluded to ensure regional and international accessibility and consistence of the review process. All full-text documents downloaded were exported to Mendeley Reference Manager, where duplicates were removed to avoid redundancy. This process ensured that each paper contributed unique insights to the review, enhancing the overall coherence and quality of the analysis. Irrelevant studies that did not directly address gender equality, climate change, or their intersection in Sub-Saharan Africa were excluded. This allowed the review to maintain focus on the most pertinent research that addressed the study question, ensuring a more accurate and comprehensive synthesis of evidence. Data extraction from each study was charted using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s standardized data extraction form. The data collected included; Bibliographic Details (Authors, Publication Year, Country Focus); Themes Addressed (Vulnerabilities, Capacities, Policy Gaps); Key Findings (Insights into gendered impacts, adaptive strategies, and policy implications. Methodology (Study design, sample, and analytical approach). This structured approach facilitated comparative analysis and synthesis of findings across studies. See details in Appendix 2 for the data extraction form. Finally, for data synthesis , three theme areas were used to qualitatively summarize the gathered data: policy gaps in addressing gendered climate change impacts, gendered vulnerabilities to climate change, and gendered capacity in climate change adaptation. The key findings were synthesized, and grouped to highlight regional dynamics, presented in tables, thematic narratives discussed and conclusions made together with their respective recommendations for future research and policy directions in the next section after this PRISMA flow diagram below that illustrates the whole paper screening process adopted from. PRISMA Flow Diagram As recommended by the JBI, (2020) Manual, a PRISMA was adopted to identify records from databases and screening records for inclusion/exclusion. And including sources in the final review. The following PRISMA flow diagram was developed to visually represent the screening and selection process. Below is the structured explanation of the process In summary, the above PRISM diagram that the researcher developed visually represents the screening and selection process. During the identification stage, a total of 564 records were retrieved: 409 from Google Scholar, 75 from Web of Science, and 80 from SCOPUS. After removing duplicates, 289 records remained. In the screening stage, titles and abstracts were reviewed, leading to the exclusion of 199 irrelevant articles. At the Eligibility Stage, full-text reviews were conducted on the remaining 90 articles, of which 65 were excluded for being outside the study scope. Finally, in the inclusion stage, 25 papers were selected for the final analysis and synthesis. 3. Results 3.1. Descriptive Statistics of Retrieved Articles The selected studies examining gender dynamics in climate change covered the diverse context of the Sub-Saharan African region. A total of 25 studies were reviewed, conducted in over 21 countries spanning Sub-Saharan Africa, with one paper combining the region’s countries with the global contexts and another one using World Bank panel data on 24 Sub-Saharan countries. Some countries include Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mali, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Togo, and more. The research demonstrates a geographical focus on Africa, emphasizing the continent's significant gendered challenges and opportunities in climate resilience and sustainable development. See Appendix 3 for the details of the country representation of the eligible studies. Regarding the range of publications utilized in this scoping review, initially planned to span from 2010 to 2024, after analysis, it was found that the studies eligible were predominantly published between 2016 and 2024. These studies were selected to identify trends in gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in climate change within the region. Although the original plan was to include studies from 2010, the final selection reflects a more focused exploration of recent developments, ensuring the inclusion of contemporary perspectives and findings. This timeframe captures the evolving dynamics of gendered impacts and responses to climate change, highlighting the most relevant and current contributions to the field. Details of publication years are in Appendix 2. 3.2 Methodology Adopted by the Selected Studies The studies selected for this review employed diverse methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods as elaborated in the table below. Table 1 Methodology approaches of selected studies Methodology Studies Total Qualitative Khoza (2022), Rosengren et al. (2020), Segnon et al. (2024), Taylor (2023), Vercillo (2022) 5 Quantitative Deininger & Xia (2016), Eastin (2018), Alhassan, S. I., et al. (2019), Maltitz & Bahta (2021), Osundina (2019), Oyawole et al. (2021), Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2024), Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2023), Warinda et al. (2020) 9 Mixed Acosta et al. (2021), Bessah et al. (2021), Mapedza et al. (2023), Marimo et al. (2021), Nnadi et al. (2021), Nuhu & Matsui (2022), Omodunni (2024), Rincker et al. (2019), Ampaire, E. L., et al. (2017), Tesfaye et al. (2023), Antwi-Agyei, P., et al. (2021) 11 Total 25 From Table 1 , above, Concerning methodologies of the selected studies,, the studies 9 employed quantitative, 5 qualitative, and 11 mixed-methods approaches. The higher number of mixed-method studies suggests an increased emphasis on combining empirical data with narrative insights to offer more holistic perspectives. Quantitative studies provided measurable impacts and relationships, while qualitative research highlighted context-specific experiences and perspectives. The predominance of mixed-method studies combined these strengths, offering deeper and more comprehensive insights into gender dynamics. This methodological diversity emphasizes the importance of employing varied approaches to effectively understand the multifaceted. See Appendix 2 for details on the study methodologies of the selected 3.1.1. Quality Assessment The quality of the included studies was critically appraised using standardized tools. Specifically, the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) checklist for qualitative research and analytical cross-sectional surveys were employed to ensure a rigorous evaluation. For studies that adopted a mixed-methods approach, both qualitative and quantitative components were assessed using the corresponding JBI tools to address the dual methodological designs. Out of the 25 studies assessed, only 12 studies explicitly discussed ethical considerations or reported having obtained ethical approval from an institutional review board (Acosta et al., 2021; Bessah et al., 2021; Deininger & Xia, 2016; Maltitz & Bahta, 2021; Mapedza et al., 2023; Marimo et al., 2021; Nnadi et al., 2021; Nuhu & Matsui, 2022; Segnon et al., 2024; Taylor, 2023; Tesfaye et al., 2023; Warinda et al., 2020). Additionally, none of the qualitative studies included reflexivity statements detailing how the researchers’ backgrounds might have influenced the findings. Despite these limitations, the qualitative studies demonstrated congruence between their stated philosophical frameworks and research methodologies. Furthermore, there was consistency between the data collection methods and the overall research approach, with participant voices well-represented through direct quotes. Appendix 4 for the critical appraisal checklist For the quantitative studies, the criteria for sample inclusion were clearly defined, and the study settings and subjects were described in detail. The majority of these studies (e.g., Khoza, 2022; Rincker et al., 2019; Oyawole et al., 2021; Osundina, 2019) adhered to robust data collection and analysis procedures, enhancing the reliability of their finding. Reference can be made to Appendix 4 for the critical appraisal checklist. 3.1.2 Gender Focus of the Selected Studies The following table shows the gender focus of the 25 eligible studies selected for this scoping review. Table 2 Summary of studies focus on men and women Gender Focus Study Count Studies Women 6 Deininger & Xia (2016), altitz & Bahta (2021), Nuhu & Matsui (2022), Osundina;(2019), Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2023), Warinda et al. (2020) Men 1 Khoza (2022). Both (Men and Women) 18 Acosta et al. (2021); Bessah et al. (2021); Eastin (2018); Antwi-Agyei, Dougill, A, & Stringer, (2021); Alhassan, et al. (2019); Marimo et al. (2021); Omodunni (2024); Oyawole et al. (2021); Segnon et al. (2024); Tesfaye et al. (2023), Vercillo (2022), Mapedza et al. (2023), Nnadi et al. (2021), Rincker et al. (2019), Rosengren et al. (2020), Ampaire et al. (2017), Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2024), Taylor (2023) Total 25 From Table 2 above, the reviewed studies focus on gender dimensions in the context of Gender Equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, indicating that a total of 6 studies in Sub-Saharan Africa highlight the role, vulnerabilities, and empowerment of women in climate change adaptation and resilience. This emphasis in the reviewed studies reflects a growing recognition of the central role women play in climate change adaptation, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, 18 studies examined gender equality and climate change focusing on both men and women; these papers delve into topics such as equitable resource allocation, gender-responsive policymaking, and the interplay of gendered power dynamics versus climate change. This implies that by including both genders, such studies provide a more comprehensive understanding of the socio-cultural and economic factors influencing climate change adaptation and gender equality for both men and women. Only 1 study (Khoza, 2022) focused on men, specifically exploring local conceptualizations of gender and masculinities in risk reduction and resilience-building strategies in Malawi and Zambia. This highlights the need for further research into the unique roles and perspectives of men in gender and climate change discourses, especially in understanding how masculinities shape climate change. 3.1.3 Results: Vulnerabilities, Capacities, And Policy Gaps The following table outlines the study findings from the selected papers for this review based on the three major themes the researcher identified; Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps guided by the review question. Table 3 Summary of Paper findings focus Themes Key Findings: Categories Study Reference Mentions Vulnerabilities Women are disproportionately affected by climate change due to limited access to resources and decision-making power, worsening existing inequalities. Acosta et al. (2021), and Eastin (2018) 15 Gender-based variations in perception of climate change impacts lead to differing vulnerabilities among men and women, with women often facing greater challenges and impact than men. Bessah et al. (2021), and Nuhu & Matsui (2022) Women often have less access to land and agricultural inputs, increasing their vulnerability to climate impacts, particularly in rural areas and Men dominated areas. Antwi-Agyei, P., Dougill, A. J., & Stringer, L. C. (2021) (2024), Maltitz & Bahta (2021), Alhassan, S. I., et al. (2019), and Osundina (2019). The lack of representation of women in decision-making processes results in climate actions that do not address their specific needs, limiting effective adaptation strategies. Khoza (2022), Nnadi et al. (2021), and Rincker et al. (2019) Cultural norms and practices intensify women's vulnerability to climate change impacts, limiting their adaptive capacity and access to resources. Marimo et al. (2021), Vercillo (2022), Taylor (2023) Capacities Women play a crucial role in agriculture and significantly contribute to climate adaptation strategies if empowered through training and resources, leveraging their local knowledge. Alhassan, S. I., et al. (2019), Oyawole et al. (2021) 7 Community-based adaptation initiatives that include women lead to more effective responses to climate change, enhancing resilience at the local level. Tesfaye et al. (2023), Segnon et al. (2024) Women’s knowledge of local ecosystems enhances resilience when integrated into climate adaptation strategies, highlighting their role as key stakeholders in these processes. Acosta et al. (2021), Nuhu & Matsui (2022), Omodunni (2019) Policy Gaps Existing policies often lack gender-responsive measures, failing to address the specific needs of women in climate action frameworks, which can hinder effective implementation. Khoza (2022), Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2023) 9 There is a significant lack of gender-disaggregated data necessary for informed policy decisions regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Ampaire, et al. (2017), Mapedza et al. (2023) Many national policies do not adequately integrate gender considerations into their climate change strategies, leading to ineffective implementation and missed opportunities for empowerment. Eastin (2018), Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2024), and Deininger & Xia (2016) Capacity-building initiatives for policymakers on gender issues in climate action are often insufficient, hindering the effective implementation of gender-responsive policies that could empower women significantly. Rosengren et al. (2020), Warinda et al. (2020) After merging the emerging themes from related findings and the analysis of the 25 studies, Table 3 above reveals significant insights into the themes of vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps related to gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 15 studies highlighted various vulnerabilities, indicating that women are disproportionately affected by climate change due to limited access to resources and decision-making power compared to men, as noted by Acosta et al. (2021) and Eastin (2018). Furthermore, gender-based variations in perceptions of climate impacts were discussed by Bessah et al. (2021) and Nuhu & Matsui (2022), while Antwi-Agyei, Dougill, & Stringer, (2021), Alhassan, et al. (2019) Osundina (2019) and Maltitz & Bahta (2021) emphasized women's restricted access to land and agricultural inputs. The lack of representation of women in decision-making processes compared to men was underscored by Khoza (2022) and Nnadi et al. (2021), with cultural norms further exacerbating vulnerabilities, as explored by Marimo et al. (2021) and (Vercillo, 2022) among others. In terms of capacities, 7 studies highlighted the crucial role women play in agriculture and their potential contributions to climate adaptation strategies, supported by Alhassan, et al. (2019), and Oyawole et al. (2021). Community-based adaptation initiatives that include women were shown to lead to more effective responses to climate change, as noted by Tesfaye et al. (2023) and Segnon et al. (2024), while the integration of women's knowledge into adaptation strategies was emphasized by Acosta et al. (2021); Osundina (2019) and Nuhu & Matsui (2022). Lastly, 9 studies identified significant policy gaps, revealing that existing policies often lack gender-responsive measures, as highlighted by Khoza (2022) and Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2023). The absence of gender-disaggregated data necessary for informed policy decisions was pointed out by Ampaire, et al. (2017) and Mapedza et al. (2023), while many national policies fail to adequately integrate gender considerations into climate strategies, as discussed by Eastin (2018) and Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2024). Additionally, insufficient capacity-building initiatives for policymakers on gender issues in climate action were noted by Rosengren et al. (2020) and Warinda et al. (2020), highlighting the need for more effective implementation of gender-responsive policies. The Synthesis of these findings is elaborated in the following subsections. Refer to Appendix 2 for different data categories 4. Discussion 4.1 Vulnerabilities Gender disparities heighten women's and marginalized groups' vulnerability to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa due to pre-existing inequalities, particularly in access to resources and decision-making. As shown in Table 2 , limited decision-making worsens these inequalities, leaving them more exposed to climate shocks than men. For instance, Acosta et al. (2021) findings indicate that compared to men, women in rural communities often lack the financial resources necessary for adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices, which places them at a disadvantage when facing climate-related challenges. Similarly, Eastin (2018) highlights that women's underrepresentation in decision-making in developing countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa, results in policies that neglect their specific needs, such as land rights, financial access, and climate-adaptive resources. This systemic exclusion increases their vulnerability to climate risks and weakens gender equality by limiting their ability to adapt effectively. Gender-based variations in the perception of climate change impacts also contribute to differing vulnerabilities among men and women. Bessah et al. (2021) found that women in the Pra River Basin of Ghana perceive climate change risks differently than their male counterparts, often underestimating the severity of impacts due to a lack of access to climate information and education. This disparity leads to inadequate preparation and response strategies among women, heightening their vulnerability. Nuhu and Matsui (2022) further support this by reporting that women in Ghana's Upper East Region face greater challenges in adapting to climate change due to societal norms that dictate their roles and limit their access to critical information about climate impacts. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives that address gender-specific perceptions and enhance women's understanding of climate risks. Access to land and agricultural inputs is another critical area where women experience heightened vulnerability to climate change compared to men, their counterparts. Taylor (2023) highlights that climate change intensifies existing gender inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, girls, and at-risk populations due to their less privileged societal positions. This is supported by Osundina (2019) who utilized UN panel data from 24 Sub-Saharan African countries and found that empowered women, particularly in agriculture and decision-making roles, significantly enhance national economic productivity and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. Alhassan et al. (2019) found that female-headed farming households in Ghana's Northern Region are more vulnerable due to restricted access to land and agricultural inputs, limiting their ability to adapt. Similarly, Nahu et al. (2022) found 94% of women had less than 5acres of land as well as Antwi-Agyei et al. (2021) that identified significant barriers such as insecure land tenure and limited access to agricultural inputs, particularly in rural areas where resource scarcity worsens women's challenges. Maltitz and Bahta (2021) corroborate this by noting that smallholder female livestock farmers face barriers in accessing veterinary services and feed, further diminishing their resilience to agricultural droughts in contrast to men livestock farmers. Therefore, addressing these disparities through policy reforms that enhance women’s access to land and resources is vital for improving adaptive capacity and fostering gender equality in the dynamic climate of Sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of representation of women in decision-making processes significantly limits effective adaptation strategies tailored to their needs. Khoza (2022) emphasizes that in Malawi and Zambia, women's voices are often marginalized in discussions about climate resilience in male-dominated communities, resulting in initiatives that fail to reflect their unique challenges and contributions. Similarly, Nnadi et al. (2021) highlight that in Southeast Nigeria, gender-blind policies intensify existing inequalities by neglecting the input and perspectives of women who are crucial for successful adaptation efforts. Rincker et al. (2019) further highlight this issue on a global scale, noting that international platforms like the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) often struggle to adequately represent diverse women's needs, leading to gaps in inclusive policy formation. Therefore, ensuring women's participation in decision-making processes is essential for developing inclusive strategies that effectively address gender-specific vulnerabilities and promote equitable climate adaptation efforts. Cultural norms and practices further impair women's vulnerability to climate change impacts by limiting their adaptive capacity and access to resources. Marimo et al. (2021) indicated that traditional gender roles in Kenya restrict women's mobility and access to information about climate adaptation strategies, hindering their ability to respond effectively to changing environmental conditions. Similarly, Vercillo (2022) highlights issues in Northern Ghana, where entrenched cultural norms dictate resource allocation and decision-making power within households, often sidelining women's contributions and needs. These structural inequities are compounded by climate change, which amplifies existing gender inequalities and disproportionately affects women, girls, and other at-risk populations due to their less privileged societal positions (Taylor, 2023). Challenging these cultural barriers through community engagement and education is essential for empowering women and enhancing their capacity to adapt to climate change effectively. 4.2 Capacities Women in Sub-Saharan Africa play a pivotal role in agriculture, significantly contributing to food security and community resilience. Enhancing their capacity for climate adaptation requires targeted empowerment through training and access to resources. Alhassan, et al. (2019), highlight that equipping woman with skills in climate-smart agriculture enhances productivity while reducing their workloads. Oyawole et al. (2021) emphasize that empowering women in agriculture fosters effective adaptation to climate challenges. This is because “ the results show that men are significantly more empowered than women in four out of the five domains of empowerment and are more likely to adopt crop rotation. However, female plot managers have a higher likelihood of adopting green manure and agroforestry (Oyawole et al. 2021, P.105) thus, calling for the empowerment of women through training as well as effective practice crop rotation, agroforest and smart garniture to enhance climate change mitigation and adoption. Therefore, the training not only improves crop yields but also equips both with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges posed by climate change, ultimately fostering resilience, economic independence and food security within their communities. Community-based adaptation initiatives that actively include not only men but women as well have proven to be more effective in addressing climate change impacts. Tesfaye et al. (2023) indicate that including women in decision-making processes ensures that their unique perspectives and experiences are considered, women’s local agricultural knowledge significantly improves adaptation through local water rainwater harvesting for irrigation and afforestation activities. I quote; "Such initiatives harness the local knowledge and skills of women, which are vital for developing tailored responses to climate variability” (Tesfaye et al. 2023, P 774). Segnon et al. (2024) further support this by demonstrating in Mali, community-led projects that integrated women's perspectives resulted in innovative solutions tailored to local environmental conditions. These initiatives not only empower women but also enhance community resilience by leveraging the unique knowledge that women possess about their environments and agricultural practices. Women and marginalized genders in Sub-Saharan Africa hold valuable knowledge and community networks essential for climate change adaptation. Acosta et al. (2021) results emphasize that women’s insights into local ecosystems enable them to implement sustainable practices like agroforestry, seed preservation, and soil fertility management, which are crucial for adapting to climate change. Nuhu and Matsui's (2022) findings add that integrating women’s traditional ecological knowledge into formal adaptation strategies leads to better agricultural and conservation outcomes. The study further corroborated this by reporting that 91% of women formed groups to share climate-related information among themselves in the Upper East region of Ghana. Omodunni (2024) further highlights those women in Lagos, Nigeria, who contribute to resilience through methods like pest control through natural methods, intercropping, and efficient irrigation. Therefore, recognizing and integrating these practices not only empowers women but also supports sustainable systems that benefit entire communities. 4.3 Policy Gaps The intersection of gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa highlights policy gaps, particularly the lack of gender-responsive measures. This deficiency undermines the effectiveness of climate action frameworks in addressing women's specific needs. For instance, Khoza (2022) emphasizes that without integrating gender considerations into climate policies, women's unique vulnerabilities and contributions remain unrecognized. This oversight leads to inadequate support for women, who are primarily responsible for food production and resource management in many communities. Uduji and Okolo-Obasi (2023) highlight that national climate strategies often neglect women's roles, failing to empower them or enhance their adaptive capacities. In agriculture-dependent countries like Malawi and Zambia, this oversight of lack of tailored interventions limits women's potential contributions to climate resilience. A significant barrier to effective climate action is the lack of gender-disaggregated data necessary for informed policy decisions regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation. Ampaire, et al., (2017), focused on Uganda and identified significant gaps in gender-disaggregated data, which hinder the development of effective gendered climate change adaptation policies. Mapedza et al., (2023) echo this concern, noting that the absence of comprehensive data hinders the development of targeted interventions that could enhance women's resilience to climate change. For instance, “without data on women's access to resources or their roles in agricultural production, policies inadvertently perpetuate existing inequalities rather than mitigate them making it difficult for women to access and benefit from Climate information services (CIS)” (Mapedzea et al. 2023, p 10). These findings emphasize the critical need for gender-disaggregated data to inform effective gendered climate change adaptation and mitigation policies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many national policies do not adequately integrate gender considerations into their climate change strategies, leading to ineffective implementation and missed opportunities for empowerment. Eastin (2018) emphasizes that while some African nations have made progress in recognizing gender issues within climate discussions, their policy frameworks often fail to translate these commitments into actionable strategies. This is echoed by Uduji & Okolo-Obasi (2024), who indicate that national policies overlook the involvement of women in decision-making processes on climate adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria, where women's vital contributions to agriculture are not reflected in policy dialogues. Similarly, Deininger & Xia (2016) highlight that the absence of gender-sensitive frameworks in land-based investments undermines both social and environmental resilience, demonstrating the broader implications of such policy gaps. This exclusion perpetuates the cycle of ineffective climate action, limiting the potential for inclusive and resilient climate adaptation strategies. Capacity-building initiatives for policymakers on gender issues in climate action are often insufficient, hindering the effective implementation of gender-responsive policies. Rosengren et al., (2020) argue that training programs aimed at enhancing understanding of gender dynamics within climate contexts are lacking across many African nations. Similarly, Warinda et al. (2020) emphasize that without adequate training and resources, policymakers may struggle to design and implement strategies that genuinely reflect the needs of both men and women. The study further revealed that local government officials who receive training on gender-responsive planning in Uganda, do better in incorporating women's perspectives into climate action strategies. However, such programs remain sporadic and underfunded, limiting their impact on holistic gender-responsive climate policy frameworks. 4.4 Sub-Saharan Africa to the World 4.4.1 Vulnerabilities The findings regarding vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps related to gender and climate change in sub-Saharan Africa resonate with similar themes observed in studies conducted outside the region. In terms of vulnerabilities, women in both sub-Saharan Africa and other global contexts face heightened risks due to climate change, primarily stemming from limited access to resources and decision-making power. Research shows that women are disproportionately affected by climate impacts, aggravating existing inequalities (Acosta et al., 2021; Eastin, 2018). For instance, the work of Aman et al. (2024) highlights how women's limited access to agricultural inputs in South Asia mirrors findings from sub-Saharan Africa, where rural women often struggle to secure land and resources necessary for adaptation. Similarly, cultural norms that restrict women's roles in decision-making processes are prevalent in both contexts, such as patriarchal traditions in rural Pakistan, where men dominate agricultural and household decisions (Shahbaz et al., 2022), and in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, where customary laws often exclude women from land ownership and leadership roles (Aman et al., 2024). Thus, while the specific cultural and socio-economic contexts may differ, the overarching theme of gendered vulnerabilities remains consistent across regions, highlighting the need to challenge entrenched norms that hinder women's capacity to implement effective climate adaptation strategies. 4.4.2 Capacities When examining capacities, the potential for women to contribute significantly to climate adaptation strategies is evident in both sub-Saharan Africa and other regions. Studies indicate that empowering women through training and resources can enhance their roles in agriculture and local ecosystems Alhassan, et al. (2019), 2024; Oyawole et al., 2021). For example, research by Hariharan et al. (2020) demonstrates that involving women in decision-making processes regarding climate-smart agricultural practices leads to improved outcomes for farming households in India. This mirrors findings from sub-Saharan Africa, where community-based adaptation initiatives that include women yield more effective responses to climate challenges (Tesfaye et al., 2023; Segnon et al., 2024). Both contexts illustrate that recognizing women's local knowledge and skills is crucial for enhancing resilience against climate change 4.4.3 Policy Gaps. Finally, regarding policy gaps, both sub-Saharan Africa and other regions exhibit significant shortcomings in integrating gender-responsive measures into climate action frameworks. The absence of gender-disaggregated data hampers informed policy decisions in both contexts (Ampaire, et al. (2017); Mapedza et al., 2023). In Europe, Allwood (2020) highlights similar issues within EU development policies that fail to adequately address gender equality during crises. For example, “ During the migration crisis, the EU's policies primarily focused on border security and controlling migration flows, often overlooking the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women migrants to climate shocks” (Allwood (2020, p. 330). Furthermore, studies show that national policies often overlook gender considerations, leading to ineffective implementation of climate strategies (Eastin, 2018; Uduji & Okolo-Obasi, 2024). The need for capacity-building initiatives on gender issues is echoed globally; Rosengren et al. (2020) emphasize that insufficient training for policymakers limits the development of inclusive policies. Thus, while the specific challenges may vary by region, the fundamental need for gender-responsive policies is a shared concern across different contexts. 5. Conclusion and Recommendations for Policy and Research Directions The findings indicate a predominant focus on studies addressing both genders, with limited attention to men and a smaller, yet significant, number of studies focusing on women. This highlights an ongoing emphasis on achieving gender equality through the inclusion of both men and women in climate change adaptation strategies, while also highlighting the continued importance of addressing women’s unique vulnerabilities. However, the minimal attention given to men reveals a gap in understanding their roles, perspectives, and contributions in the context of gender and climate change. Future research could bridge these gaps by exploring the intersectionality of gender with other social identities including class, age, and ethnicity. Expanding the scope to include diverse perspectives on men’s contributions, experiences, and gender relations could foster the formulation of a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to gender-responsive climate adaptation strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa. In terms of vulnerabilities, compared to men, women in Sub-Saharan Africa due to climate change are deeply rooted in 12 factors identified by this paper; systemic exclusions, lack of access to climate education and information, Gender variations, Limited access to land and agricultural inputs, fewer privileges in societal positions, insecure land tenure systems, lack of financial resources, domination of men-undermining women voices, cultural norms and practices, and inadequate representation in decision-making processes. These factors hinder women's ability to adapt to climate impacts and increase their exposure to risks associated with climate variability compared to men. To effectively address these vulnerabilities, it is crucial to implement gender-sensitive policies that promote women's access to resources, land ownership, and decision-making power. This includes enhancing capacity-building initiatives that empower women with the knowledge and tools necessary for sustainable practices and climate adaptation. Future research should focus on collecting gender-disaggregated data to understand the unique experiences and needs of different gender groups in climate change, enabling targeted interventions and deeper understanding of vulnerabilities and capacities. Regarding Capacities, the review highlights the essential role women play in climate adaptation and resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa despite being vulnerable to climate shocks. 6 main capacities; Harnessing women's local and traditional ecological knowledge, empowering them through targeted training and resource access, community-based initiatives, innovative solutions tailored to the environment, and valuing community networks in communities significantly enhance their adaptive capacities to climate change. The findings indicate that inclusive decision-making processes that integrate all genders’ perspectives lead to more effective local responses to climate challenges. Furthermore, recognizing women and other marginalized genders’ contributions not only fosters economic independence but also strengthens community resilience against climate variability. Thus, advancing gender-responsive climate policies is imperative for achieving both food security and environmental sustainability in the region. Future research should explore women's roles in Sub-Saharan Africa's agriculture, particularly in climate change adaptation and mitigation, integrating traditional ecological knowledge into formal strategies. Concerning Policy gaps, the intersection of gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa highlights 8 significant policy gaps that hinder effective climate action. Current policies often lack gender-responsive frameworks, fail to acknowledge women's unique vulnerabilities and contributions in key sectors, lack gender-disaggregated data, failure to translate into actionable strategies and frameworks, Failure to empower the less privileged (women) in society, neglect women's roles in national policies, overlooking women involvement in climate policy decision making, and lack of training on gender-responsive planning by local government officials. There these gender policy gaps in key sectors, particularly agriculture and climate action, adoption and mitigation lead to one-size-fits-all solutions that fail to address the specific needs of both gender groups hindering effective climate action. To improve climate resilience and empower women, policymakers must adopt an inclusive approach prioritizing gender equity, enhance data collection efforts, and invest in targeted training programs. Therefore, addressing these gaps will enable Sub-Saharan Africa to implement more effective climate actions that recognize and utilize the vital contributions of women. Future research should assess gender-responsive policies in Sub-Saharan Africa, identify best practices, and explore innovative capacity-building approaches to address gender disparities, enhancing sustainable development goals and gender equality, especially in climate change contexts. Besides, women in sub-Saharan Africa and globally face similar but greater gendered vulnerabilities to climate change compared to men, primarily due to limited resources and decision-making power. However, empowering women through targeted initiatives enhances climate resilience, as shown by successful local adaptation efforts. Despite these capacities, significant policy gaps persist, particularly in integrating gender-responsive measures and data-driven frameworks. Consequently, addressing these gaps requires global commitment to inclusive policy-making and capacity-building. 6. Limitations of the Review paper and Ethical Considerations The limitations of this review included; Geographic Limitations, the study focused exclusively on Sub-Saharan Africa and may not fully capture the gender-climate change dynamics in other regions, Document Availability-Studies that had no open access and were not publicly available, limiting the breadth of papers considered; and language restriction-only English-language documents were included, potentially omitting relevant studies published in other languages. Additionally, since this study involved the analysis of secondary data published papers, there were no direct ethical concerns related to data collection. All selected papers were accessed via publicly available databases and websites as they were open-access articles. Proper citation and acknowledgement of sources were ensured to maintain academic integrity. Declarations Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate ; Not applicable. Since this study involved the analysis of secondary data published papers, there were no direct ethical concerns related to data collection. All selected papers were accessed via publicly available databases and websites as they were open-access articles. Proper citation and acknowledgement of sources were ensured to maintain academic integrity. Consent for Publication ; I, MUHWEZI Innocent, and Dr Turyasingura John Bosco approve and consent to the publication of this manuscript titled "Gender Equality and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Intersectional Analysis of Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps – A Scoping Review" in Climatic Change. Competing Interests ; The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Author Contributions ; MUHWEZI Innocent conceptualized and designed the study, conducted the literature review, analysed the data, and drafted the manuscript. While Dr Turyasingura John Bosco Reviewed and edited the manuscript Funding ; Not applicable. (No funding) Availability of Data and Materials ; Not applicable. Originality and Prior Publication Statement I, MUHWEZI Innocent and Dr Turyasingura John Bosco, declare that this manuscript is my original work and has not been submitted for publication or published elsewhere. It represents my own research and analysis, and all sources have been properly acknowledged. References Acosta, M., van Wessel, M., van Bommel, S., & Feindt, P. H. (2021). Examining the promise of ‘the local’ for improving gender equality in agriculture and climate change adaptation. Third World Quarterly , 42 (6), 1135–1156. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2021.1882845 African Development Bank Group (AfDB). (2020). 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A., Vij, S., & Irvine, A. (2024). Urban water insecurity and its gendered impacts: On the gaps in climate change adaptation and sustainable development goals. Climate and Development, 16(3), 187–198. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2022.2051418 Taylor, J. (2023). Just an energy transition? A gendered analysis of energy transition in Northern Cape, South Africa. Agenda, 37(3), 76–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/10130950.2023.2240855 Terry, G. (2009). No climate justice without gender justice: An overview of the issues. Gender & Development, 17 (1), 5–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552070802696839 Tesfaye, A., Radeny, M., Ogada, M. J., Recha, J. W., Ambaw, G., Chanana, N., Huyer, S., Demeke, G., & Solomon, D. (2023). Gender empowerment and parity in East Africa: evidence from climate-smart agriculture in Ethiopia and Kenya. Climate and Development, 15(9), 768–778. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2022.2154124 Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O'Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., & Moher, D. (2018). A scoping review of scoping reviews: Advancing the methodology. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0617-0 Uduji, J. I., & Okolo-Obasi, E. N. (2024). The impact of CSR on rural women custodians of seed, food and climate change resilience in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. Journal of Enterprising Communities, 18(3), 441–468. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-09-2022-0136 UN Women. (2015). SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. United Nations Women. https://www.unwomen.org/en/sdg/gender-equality UN Women. (2020). Gender equality: Why it matters . https://www.unwomen.org/en/what - wedo/gender-equality United Nations (UN). (2021). Sub-Saharan Africa: Economic Development and Policy Initiatives. UN Economic Reports. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2022). Gender and climate change: Advancing equality in adaptation and resilience . UNDP. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2023). Gender and climate action. UNEP. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/topics/gender/gender-and-climate-action United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2019). Gender Action Plan . UNFCCC Secretariat. Van Aelst, K., & Holvoet, N. (2016). Intersections of gender and marital status in accessing climate change adaptation: Evidence from rural Tanzania. World Development, 79 , 40–50. Van Duijn, D. (2021). The Importance of Gender Equality in Climate Action: An investigation into how UN member states view the relation between gender equality and climate action. Vercillo, S. (2022). A feminist political ecology of farm resource entitlements in Northern Ghana. Gender, Place and Culture, 29(10), 1467 1496. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2021.2013781 Warinda, E., Nyariki, D. M., Wambua, S., Muasya, R. M., & Hanjra, M. A. (2020). Sustainable development in East Africa: impact evaluation of regional agricultural development projects in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Natural Resources Forum, 44(1), 3–39. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12191 World Bank (2021). Africa Overview: Development News, Research, Data. World Bank Group Reports. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe intersection of gender equality and climate change is increasingly recognized in global development, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where socioeconomic and gender disparities exacerbate vulnerabilities to climate impacts (Okesanya et al., 2024; UNEP, 2023). Notably, over 60% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa are employed in agriculture, producing approximately 70% of the continent\u0026rsquo;s food (Alston, 2014). This heavy reliance on climate-sensitive livelihoods means that climate change disproportionately affects women and marginalized groups, worsening existing inequalities and posing significant challenges to their economic stability and well-being (Rao et al., 2019; Djoudi et al., 2016).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, despite their vulnerability, these groups are crucial for climate adaptation and mitigation due to their knowledge, leadership, and community involvement (Belsey, 2022); Van Duijn (2021). However, persistent gaps in policy frameworks, unequal resource access, and entrenched gender norms hinder their contributions (Dankelman, 2010; Spitzer, 2023; Skinner, 2011). Consequently, addressing these challenges necessitates a thorough analysis of vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps to provide future considerations for gender-responsive climate action in the region.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTherefore, this review aims to explore the intersection between gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa by synthesizing research on gender disparities, climate impacts, and policy responses. The review intended to highlight gendered vulnerabilities in climate risks, identify policy gaps, and provide insights for strengthening inclusive climate strategies to mitigate and adapt to each gender's unique needs. Particularly, addressing these key three questions; What are the main gendered vulnerabilities associated with climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa?; How do capacities vary between genders in responding to climate change impacts?; and What are the existing policy gaps in addressing gender and climate change issues?\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy definition, gender equality refers to a state where individuals of all genders enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and obligations, eliminating discrimination towards creating a levelled playing field where men, women, and non-binary individuals can thrive equally (UN Women, 2020). In this context, Kabeer (2005) adds that it involves enabling individuals to make choices free from systemic constraints. Similarly, climate change is described as the long-lasting alterations in climate patterns that are primarily driven by human activities like fossil fuel use (IPCC, 2007; IPCC, 2021). Furthermore, Denton (2002) emphasizes that climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities, especially women, since they have less access to resources and decision-making authority.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSub-Saharan Africa (SSA) includes all countries south of the Sahara Desert, excluding North African nations like Egypt and Libya (UN, 2021). Despite challenges such as poverty, political instability, and colonial legacies (Alesina \u0026amp; La Ferrara, 2005), the region has significant natural resources and emerging markets. However, it is highly vulnerable to climate change, exacerbating issues like food insecurity (IMF, 2022). Agriculture and urbanization are central to its development, with international organizations increasingly addressing its opportunities and challenges (AfDB, 2020; World Bank, 2021). Therefore, understanding these dynamics is essential, particularly in exploring the link between gender disparities and climate change, necessitating transformative policies and actions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSub-Saharan Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its socioeconomic and environmental conditions. The IPCC (2021) highlights that marginalized groups, especially women and girls, face disproportionate impacts from climate events like droughts and floods. Women, comprising 54\u0026ndash;63% of the poor in Africa (UNDP, 2022), are more susceptible to adverse effects due to limited access to resources such as land and education. Despite calls for gender integration in climate policies, the intersection of gender and climate resilience remains underexplored in African contexts (Van Aelst \u0026amp; Holvoet, 2016; Denton, 2002). Rwanda\u0026rsquo;s Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (2011) exemplifies efforts to include gender in national climate action.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn addition, global efforts to integrate climate change and gender equality strategies, such as the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan, have advanced over the past two decades, promoting women\u0026rsquo;s empowerment in climate action (UNFCCC, 2019). However, implementation in African countries faces barriers, including inadequate funding, patriarchal norms, and weak political will (Terry, 2009; Kwauk et al., 2019). For instance, Ghana\u0026rsquo;s National Climate Change Policy promotes gender-responsive approaches but lacks monitoring frameworks (MESTI, 2013), while Uganda\u0026rsquo;s policy advocates inclusivity but struggles with fragmented local governance (MWE, 2015). South Africa\u0026rsquo;s Climate Change Response White Paper highlights gaps in gender mainstreaming due to insufficient data, weak institutional capacity, and low female representation, hindering gender-sensitive resilience (Babugura et al., 2010).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, empirical studies highlight persistent vulnerabilities and structural barriers for women in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, such as unpaid care work, limiting their participation in climate initiatives and access to technology and agricultural inputs (Jost et al., 2016; Perez et al., 2015). These challenges reinforce gender disparities and hinder adaptive capacities, particularly in agriculture. A UNDP Uganda report (2022) calls for tailored interventions addressing gender-specific challenges. Rwanda\u0026rsquo;s Climate Resilient Agricultural Sector Strategy (2014) emphasizes gender mainstreaming, though implementation is inconsistent. Chagutah (2010) argues that national climate policies in Southern Africa often lack effective community-based monitoring, a concern also noted in South Africa's Gender Climate Change Strategy (South African Department of Environment, 2011), which lacks monitoring mechanisms.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite these challenges, there is growing recognition of women's transformative role in building climate resilience, with research showing that empowering women in agricultural value chains enhances food security and adaptive capacity to climate change (Kristjanson et al., 2017). In particular, community-led initiatives in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda leverage indigenous knowledge with women at the forefront of resource management (Nielsen et al., 2019). Rwanda\u0026rsquo;s successful gender-responsive empowerment initiatives in forestry and renewable energy offer scalable models (Rwanda, 2011), while South Africa\u0026rsquo;s renewable energy projects include gender-sensitive policies but struggle to ensure equal female participation (Carr \u0026amp; Thompson, 2014). Thus, the lack of robust models alongside insufficient policy alignment accentuates the pressing need for actionable frameworks that promote inclusive climate resilience across Sub-Saharan Africa.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, existing policies in countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa recognize the significance of gender equality but lack robust mechanisms to address structural barriers and resource constraints. For instance, in Uganda, only 35% of climate adaptation programs explicitly include gender considerations (MWE Uganda, 2015), while in Rwanda, despite 40% of senior government positions being held by women, gender-sensitive budgeting for climate initiatives remains under 25% (Rwanda, 2011). Similarly, in South Africa, only 28% of climate response initiatives report gender-specific outcomes, highlighting challenges in monitoring and evaluation (Climate Response White Paper South Africa, 2011).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConsequently, the convergence of gender inequality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive analysis of gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps. Therefore, building on the recommendations of Adeola \u0026amp; Evans (2024), the ongoing requires synthesizing empirical studies on various components into a unified document to guide gender-responsive climate policy formulation, action and future research in the region.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTherefore, the current paper envisions merging this critical knowledge from different academic articles in one document by conducting a scoping review, concentrating on gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa\u0026rsquo;s adaption to climate change. Through synthesizing findings from 25 academic peer-reviewed articles to provide a comprehensive grasp of gender equality and climate change interplay, actionable recommendations for enhancing gender equity and adaptability to the effects of climate change, offering pathways for policy improvement and future research across the Sub-Saharan region.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConsequently, this review study is relevant as it's expected to address the interconnected challenges of gender inequality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the disproportionate impacts on women and girls. In analyzing research articles, it identifies gaps in gender-responsive policies and offers recommendations for inclusive climate action. It contributes to academic discourse by analyzing both vulnerabilities and capacities, emphasizing women\u0026rsquo;s potential as agents of change while exploring the role of men and boys as allies in achieving gender equity. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, contributing to holistic efforts to promote climate resilience and gender equality. Besides, this review contributes to the call for 2015 UN SDG Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG Goal 13 (Climate Action), targeting to advance gender-responsive climate action and resilience as articulated by UN Women (2015), Alston (2014), and Masika (2019).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGoing forward, immediately after this introduction, the review follows with a detailed methodology, then presents the results and discussion, including a section on sub-Saharan Africa's context from a global perspective. The conclusion offers policy recommendations, followed by future research directions, limitations, ethical considerations, references, and appendices.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Methodology","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.1. Study Design\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis scoping review adopted the PRISMA-SCR methodological framework. This is the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline (Tricco et al., 2018; Peters et al., 2021; Munn et al., 2018) PRISMA-SCR is within the 2020 Joanna Briggs Institute\u0026rsquo;s (JBI) manual of frameworks for scoping reviews. This approach emphasizes greater rigour in defining the research question, systematically selecting relevant studies, extracting and organizing data, and synthesizing key findings. It is a structured and detailed approach to scoping reviews, resulting in a well-organized synthesis of the existing literature (Hadie, 2024).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJBI (2020) offers a nine-step PRISMA-SCR approach to ensure systematic and transparent evidence synthesis. It involves identifying a broad research question, developing a detailed protocol, and setting clear eligibility criteria. Relevant studies are identified through a comprehensive search, followed by a two-step selection process with independent reviewers. Data is extracted using a standardized form, charted in tables, and summarized narratively. The findings are synthesized to highlight key themes, gaps, and future research areas. An optional stakeholder consultation step to enhance the review\u0026rsquo;s relevance and comprehensiveness.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis structured approach enabled a comprehensive understanding of the topic and highlighted areas for further research and policy development. Therefore, the framework guided the author to map the available evidence on the connection between climate change and gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa systematically, with an emphasis on identifying key concepts, research gaps, and the scope of existing studies. The review began with identifying the research question, the paper aimed to explore the intersection of gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe key research questions included; What are the main gendered vulnerabilities associated with climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa? How do capacities vary between genders in responding to climate change impacts? and What are the existing policy gaps in addressing gender and climate change issues?\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.2 Search Strategy\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe second stage involved identifying relevant studies. Taking into account the population, the review's interest, the intervention, and the context (PIIC), a thorough search strategy was formulated for the review. This made it easier to conduct systematic searches across electronic databases, namely; SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, which are regarded as important interdisciplinary databases that cover a wide range of scholarly literature. Keywords combined with Boolean operators were used, such as allintitle: \"Gender equality\" OR \"Women's empowerment\" AND \"Climate Change\" OR \u0026ldquo;Vulnerabilities\u0026rdquo; OR \u0026ldquo;Capacities\u0026rdquo; OR \u0026ldquo;Policy Gaps\u0026rdquo; OR \"Sub-Saharan Africa\" OR Africa. Limiters/Filters applied included \u0026ldquo;Peer-Reviewed\u0026rdquo; articles, \u0026ldquo;English Language,\u0026rdquo; and publication years (2010\u0026ndash;2024). This search yielded a total of 564 articles: 409 from Google Scholar, 75 from Web of Science, and 80 from SCOPUS. These articles form the foundation for the formulation of gender-responsive climate policies in sub-Saharan Africa. Refer to \u003cb\u003eAppendix 1\u003c/b\u003e for details of the search of three databases\u0026rsquo; queries.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e2.3 Criteria for Inclusion and Exclusion.\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe article selection involved a three-phase screening process to ensure relevance and rigour. From 564 initial records, duplicates were removed, leaving 289 articles. Titles and abstracts were screened to exclude unrelated studies, reducing the number to 90. A full-text review of these 90 articles excluded those that did not address vulnerabilities, capacities, or policy gaps between climate change and gender equity or were beyond the scope of Sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in 25 articles that were retained for the final review.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ea) Inclusion Criteria\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe studies selected for analysis, published between 2010 and 2024, focus on identifying trends in gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in climate change within Sub-Saharan Africa over the past 15 years. This timeframe ensures the inclusion of contemporary perspectives on gender equality and climate change in the region. The emphasis on English-published publications is justified by its widespread use in Sub-Saharan African academic and policy discourse, facilitating access to regionally and internationally relevant research. The study prioritizes peer-reviewed articles, particularly those indexed in SCOPUS, to enhance credibility and academic rigour. These criteria aim to provide a robust, up-to-date analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa\u0026rsquo;s gendered climate change dimensions, drawing from credible, relevant, and reliable research to inform findings and conclusions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eb) Exclusion Criteria\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis review excluded all the studies conducted outside Sub-Saharan Africa, as the aim was to specifically examine gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in this region. Besides, articles not published in English were also excluded to ensure regional and international accessibility and consistence of the review process. All full-text documents downloaded were exported to Mendeley Reference Manager, where duplicates were removed to avoid redundancy. This process ensured that each paper contributed unique insights to the review, enhancing the overall coherence and quality of the analysis. Irrelevant studies that did not directly address gender equality, climate change, or their intersection in Sub-Saharan Africa were excluded. This allowed the review to maintain focus on the most pertinent research that addressed the study question, ensuring a more accurate and comprehensive synthesis of evidence.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eData extraction\u003c/b\u003e from each study was charted using the Joanna Briggs Institute\u0026rsquo;s standardized data extraction form. The data collected included; Bibliographic Details (Authors, Publication Year, Country Focus); Themes Addressed (Vulnerabilities, Capacities, Policy Gaps); Key Findings (Insights into gendered impacts, adaptive strategies, and policy implications. Methodology (Study design, sample, and analytical approach). This structured approach facilitated comparative analysis and synthesis of findings across studies. See details in \u003cb\u003eAppendix 2\u003c/b\u003e for the data extraction form.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, for \u003cb\u003edata synthesis\u003c/b\u003e, three theme areas were used to qualitatively summarize the gathered data: policy gaps in addressing gendered climate change impacts, gendered vulnerabilities to climate change, and gendered capacity in climate change adaptation. The key findings were synthesized, and grouped to highlight regional dynamics, presented in tables, thematic narratives discussed and conclusions made together with their respective recommendations for future research and policy directions in the next section after this PRISMA flow diagram below that illustrates the whole paper screening process adopted from.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePRISMA Flow Diagram\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs recommended by the JBI, (2020) Manual, a PRISMA was adopted to identify records from databases and screening records for inclusion/exclusion. And including sources in the final review. The following PRISMA flow diagram was developed to visually represent the screening and selection process. Below is the structured explanation of the process\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn summary, the above PRISM diagram that the researcher developed visually represents the screening and selection process. During the identification stage, a total of 564 records were retrieved: 409 from Google Scholar, 75 from Web of Science, and 80 from SCOPUS. After removing duplicates, 289 records remained. In the screening stage, titles and abstracts were reviewed, leading to the exclusion of 199 irrelevant articles. At the Eligibility Stage, full-text reviews were conducted on the remaining 90 articles, of which 65 were excluded for being outside the study scope. Finally, in the inclusion stage, 25 papers were selected for the final analysis and synthesis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1. Descriptive Statistics of Retrieved Articles\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe selected studies examining gender dynamics in climate change covered the diverse context of the Sub-Saharan African region. A total of 25 studies were reviewed, conducted in over 21 countries spanning Sub-Saharan Africa, with one paper combining the region\u0026rsquo;s countries with the global contexts and another one using World Bank panel data on 24 Sub-Saharan countries. Some countries include Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mali, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Togo, and more. The research demonstrates a geographical focus on Africa, emphasizing the continent's significant gendered challenges and opportunities in climate resilience and sustainable development. See \u003cb\u003eAppendix 3\u003c/b\u003e for the details of the country representation of the eligible studies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding the range of publications utilized in this scoping review, initially planned to span from 2010 to 2024, after analysis, it was found that the studies eligible were predominantly published between 2016 and 2024. These studies were selected to identify trends in gendered vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps in climate change within the region. Although the original plan was to include studies from 2010, the final selection reflects a more focused exploration of recent developments, ensuring the inclusion of contemporary perspectives and findings. This timeframe captures the evolving dynamics of gendered impacts and responses to climate change, highlighting the most relevant and current contributions to the field. Details of publication years are in \u003cb\u003eAppendix 2.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2 Methodology Adopted by the Selected Studies\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe studies selected for this review employed diverse methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods as elaborated in the table below.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMethodology approaches of selected studies\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMethodology\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudies\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQualitative\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKhoza (2022), Rosengren et al. (2020), Segnon et al. (2024), Taylor (2023), Vercillo (2022)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQuantitative\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeininger \u0026amp; Xia (2016), Eastin (2018), Alhassan, S. I., et al. (2019), Maltitz \u0026amp; Bahta (2021), Osundina (2019), Oyawole et al. (2021), Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2024), Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2023), Warinda et al. (2020)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMixed\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcosta et al. (2021), Bessah et al. (2021), Mapedza et al. (2023), Marimo et al. (2021), Nnadi et al. (2021), Nuhu \u0026amp; Matsui (2022), Omodunni (2024), Rincker et al. (2019), Ampaire, E. L., et al. (2017), Tesfaye et al. (2023), Antwi-Agyei, P., et al. (2021)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e25\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, above, Concerning methodologies of the selected studies,, the studies 9 employed quantitative, 5 qualitative, and 11 mixed-methods approaches. The higher number of mixed-method studies suggests an increased emphasis on combining empirical data with narrative insights to offer more holistic perspectives. Quantitative studies provided measurable impacts and relationships, while qualitative research highlighted context-specific experiences and perspectives. The predominance of mixed-method studies combined these strengths, offering deeper and more comprehensive insights into gender dynamics. This methodological diversity emphasizes the importance of employing varied approaches to effectively understand the multifaceted. See \u003cb\u003eAppendix 2\u003c/b\u003e for details on the study methodologies of the selected\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.1. Quality Assessment\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe quality of the included studies was critically appraised using standardized tools. Specifically, the Joanna Briggs Institute\u0026rsquo;s (JBI) checklist for qualitative research and analytical cross-sectional surveys were employed to ensure a rigorous evaluation. For studies that adopted a mixed-methods approach, both qualitative and quantitative components were assessed using the corresponding JBI tools to address the dual methodological designs.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOut of the 25 studies assessed, only 12 studies explicitly discussed ethical considerations or reported having obtained ethical approval from an institutional review board (Acosta et al., 2021; Bessah et al., 2021; Deininger \u0026amp; Xia, 2016; Maltitz \u0026amp; Bahta, 2021; Mapedza et al., 2023; Marimo et al., 2021; Nnadi et al., 2021; Nuhu \u0026amp; Matsui, 2022; Segnon et al., 2024; Taylor, 2023; Tesfaye et al., 2023; Warinda et al., 2020). Additionally, none of the qualitative studies included reflexivity statements detailing how the researchers\u0026rsquo; backgrounds might have influenced the findings. Despite these limitations, the qualitative studies demonstrated congruence between their stated philosophical frameworks and research methodologies. Furthermore, there was consistency between the data collection methods and the overall research approach, with participant voices well-represented through direct quotes. \u003cb\u003eAppendix 4\u003c/b\u003e for the critical appraisal checklist\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the quantitative studies, the criteria for sample inclusion were clearly defined, and the study settings and subjects were described in detail. The majority of these studies (e.g., Khoza, 2022; Rincker et al., 2019; Oyawole et al., 2021; Osundina, 2019) adhered to robust data collection and analysis procedures, enhancing the reliability of their finding. Reference can be made to \u003cb\u003eAppendix 4\u003c/b\u003e for the critical appraisal checklist.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.2 Gender Focus of the Selected Studies\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe following table shows the gender focus of the 25 eligible studies selected for this scoping review.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSummary of studies focus on men and women\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender Focus\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudy Count\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudies\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWomen\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeininger \u0026amp; Xia (2016), altitz \u0026amp; Bahta (2021), Nuhu \u0026amp; Matsui (2022), Osundina;(2019), Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2023), Warinda et al. (2020)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMen\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKhoza (2022).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth (Men and Women)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcosta et al. (2021); Bessah et al. (2021); Eastin (2018); Antwi-Agyei, Dougill, A, \u0026amp; Stringer, (2021); Alhassan, et al. (2019); Marimo et al. (2021); Omodunni (2024); Oyawole et al. (2021); Segnon et al. (2024); Tesfaye et al. (2023), Vercillo (2022), Mapedza et al. (2023), Nnadi et al. (2021), Rincker et al. (2019), Rosengren et al. (2020), Ampaire et al. (2017), Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2024), Taylor (2023)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e above, the reviewed studies focus on gender dimensions in the context of Gender Equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa, indicating that a total of 6 studies in Sub-Saharan Africa highlight the role, vulnerabilities, and empowerment of women in climate change adaptation and resilience. This emphasis in the reviewed studies reflects a growing recognition of the central role women play in climate change adaptation, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, 18 studies examined gender equality and climate change focusing on both men and women; these papers delve into topics such as equitable resource allocation, gender-responsive policymaking, and the interplay of gendered power dynamics versus climate change.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis implies that by including both genders, such studies provide a more comprehensive understanding of the socio-cultural and economic factors influencing climate change adaptation and gender equality for both men and women. Only 1 study (Khoza, 2022) focused on men, specifically exploring local conceptualizations of gender and masculinities in risk reduction and resilience-building strategies in Malawi and Zambia. This highlights the need for further research into the unique roles and perspectives of men in gender and climate change discourses, especially in understanding how masculinities shape climate change.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.3 Results: Vulnerabilities, Capacities, And Policy Gaps\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe following table outlines the study findings from the selected papers for this review based on the three major themes the researcher identified; Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps guided by the review question.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSummary of Paper findings focus\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThemes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKey Findings: Categories\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudy Reference\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMentions\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVulnerabilities\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWomen are disproportionately affected by climate change due to limited access to resources and decision-making power, worsening existing inequalities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcosta et al. (2021), and Eastin (2018)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender-based variations in perception of climate change impacts lead to differing vulnerabilities among men and women, with women often facing greater challenges and impact than men.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBessah et al. (2021), and Nuhu \u0026amp; Matsui (2022)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWomen often have less access to land and agricultural inputs, increasing their vulnerability to climate impacts, particularly in rural areas and Men dominated areas.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAntwi-Agyei, P., Dougill, A. J., \u0026amp; Stringer, L. C. (2021) (2024), Maltitz \u0026amp; Bahta (2021), Alhassan, S. I., et al. (2019), and Osundina (2019).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe lack of representation of women in decision-making processes results in climate actions that do not address their specific needs, limiting effective adaptation strategies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKhoza (2022), Nnadi et al. (2021), and Rincker et al. (2019)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCultural norms and practices intensify women's vulnerability to climate change impacts, limiting their adaptive capacity and access to resources.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarimo et al. (2021), Vercillo (2022), Taylor (2023)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCapacities\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWomen play a crucial role in agriculture and significantly contribute to climate adaptation strategies if empowered through training and resources, leveraging their local knowledge.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlhassan, S. I., et al. (2019), Oyawole et al. (2021)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCommunity-based adaptation initiatives that include women lead to more effective responses to climate change, enhancing resilience at the local level.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTesfaye et al. (2023), Segnon et al. (2024)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWomen\u0026rsquo;s knowledge of local ecosystems enhances resilience when integrated into climate adaptation strategies, highlighting their role as key stakeholders in these processes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcosta et al. (2021), Nuhu \u0026amp; Matsui (2022), Omodunni (2019)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePolicy Gaps\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExisting policies often lack gender-responsive measures, failing to address the specific needs of women in climate action frameworks, which can hinder effective implementation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKhoza (2022), Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2023)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is a significant lack of gender-disaggregated data necessary for informed policy decisions regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmpaire, et al. (2017), Mapedza et al. (2023)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMany national policies do not adequately integrate gender considerations into their climate change strategies, leading to ineffective implementation and missed opportunities for empowerment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEastin (2018), Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2024), and Deininger \u0026amp; Xia (2016)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCapacity-building initiatives for policymakers on gender issues in climate action are often insufficient, hindering the effective implementation of gender-responsive policies that could empower women significantly.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRosengren et al. (2020), Warinda et al. (2020)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter merging the emerging themes from related findings and the analysis of the 25 studies, Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e above reveals significant insights into the themes of vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps related to gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 15 studies highlighted various vulnerabilities, indicating that women are disproportionately affected by climate change due to limited access to resources and decision-making power compared to men, as noted by Acosta et al. (2021) and Eastin (2018). Furthermore, gender-based variations in perceptions of climate impacts were discussed by Bessah et al. (2021) and Nuhu \u0026amp; Matsui (2022), while Antwi-Agyei, Dougill, \u0026amp; Stringer, (2021), Alhassan, et al. (2019) Osundina (2019) and Maltitz \u0026amp; Bahta (2021) emphasized women's restricted access to land and agricultural inputs. The lack of representation of women in decision-making processes compared to men was underscored by Khoza (2022) and Nnadi et al. (2021), with cultural norms further exacerbating vulnerabilities, as explored by Marimo et al. (2021) and (Vercillo, 2022) among others.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of capacities, 7 studies highlighted the crucial role women play in agriculture and their potential contributions to climate adaptation strategies, supported by Alhassan, et al. (2019), and Oyawole et al. (2021). Community-based adaptation initiatives that include women were shown to lead to more effective responses to climate change, as noted by Tesfaye et al. (2023) and Segnon et al. (2024), while the integration of women's knowledge into adaptation strategies was emphasized by Acosta et al. (2021); Osundina (2019) and Nuhu \u0026amp; Matsui (2022).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLastly, 9 studies identified significant policy gaps, revealing that existing policies often lack gender-responsive measures, as highlighted by Khoza (2022) and Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2023). The absence of gender-disaggregated data necessary for informed policy decisions was pointed out by Ampaire, et al. (2017) and Mapedza et al. (2023), while many national policies fail to adequately integrate gender considerations into climate strategies, as discussed by Eastin (2018) and Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2024). Additionally, insufficient capacity-building initiatives for policymakers on gender issues in climate action were noted by Rosengren et al. (2020) and Warinda et al. (2020), highlighting the need for more effective implementation of gender-responsive policies. The Synthesis of these findings is elaborated in the following subsections. \u003cb\u003eRefer to Appendix 2 for different data categories\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.1 Vulnerabilities\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender disparities heighten women's and marginalized groups' vulnerability to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa due to pre-existing inequalities, particularly in access to resources and decision-making. As shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, limited decision-making worsens these inequalities, leaving them more exposed to climate shocks than men. For instance, Acosta et al. (2021) findings indicate that compared to men, women in rural communities often lack the financial resources necessary for adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices, which places them at a disadvantage when facing climate-related challenges. Similarly, Eastin (2018) highlights that women's underrepresentation in decision-making in developing countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa, results in policies that neglect their specific needs, such as land rights, financial access, and climate-adaptive resources. This systemic exclusion increases their vulnerability to climate risks and weakens gender equality by limiting their ability to adapt effectively.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender-based variations in the perception of climate change impacts also contribute to differing vulnerabilities among men and women. Bessah et al. (2021) found that women in the Pra River Basin of Ghana perceive climate change risks differently than their male counterparts, often underestimating the severity of impacts due to a lack of access to climate information and education. This disparity leads to inadequate preparation and response strategies among women, heightening their vulnerability. Nuhu and Matsui (2022) further support this by reporting that women in Ghana's Upper East Region face greater challenges in adapting to climate change due to societal norms that dictate their roles and limit their access to critical information about climate impacts. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives that address gender-specific perceptions and enhance women's understanding of climate risks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccess to land and agricultural inputs is another critical area where women experience heightened vulnerability to climate change compared to men, their counterparts. Taylor (2023) highlights that climate change intensifies existing gender inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, girls, and at-risk populations due to their less privileged societal positions. This is supported by Osundina (2019) who utilized UN panel data from 24 Sub-Saharan African countries and found that empowered women, particularly in agriculture and decision-making roles, significantly enhance national economic productivity and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. Alhassan et al. (2019) found that female-headed farming households in Ghana's Northern Region are more vulnerable due to restricted access to land and agricultural inputs, limiting their ability to adapt. Similarly, Nahu et al. (2022) found 94% of women had less than 5acres of land as well as Antwi-Agyei et al. (2021) that identified significant barriers such as insecure land tenure and limited access to agricultural inputs, particularly in rural areas where resource scarcity worsens women's challenges. Maltitz and Bahta (2021) corroborate this by noting that smallholder female livestock farmers face barriers in accessing veterinary services and feed, further diminishing their resilience to agricultural droughts in contrast to men livestock farmers. Therefore, addressing these disparities through policy reforms that enhance women\u0026rsquo;s access to land and resources is vital for improving adaptive capacity and fostering gender equality in the dynamic climate of Sub-Saharan Africa.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe lack of representation of women in decision-making processes significantly limits effective adaptation strategies tailored to their needs. Khoza (2022) emphasizes that in Malawi and Zambia, women's voices are often marginalized in discussions about climate resilience in male-dominated communities, resulting in initiatives that fail to reflect their unique challenges and contributions. Similarly, Nnadi et al. (2021) highlight that in Southeast Nigeria, gender-blind policies intensify existing inequalities by neglecting the input and perspectives of women who are crucial for successful adaptation efforts. Rincker et al. (2019) further highlight this issue on a global scale, noting that international platforms like the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) often struggle to adequately represent diverse women's needs, leading to gaps in inclusive policy formation. Therefore, ensuring women's participation in decision-making processes is essential for developing inclusive strategies that effectively address gender-specific vulnerabilities and promote equitable climate adaptation efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCultural norms and practices further impair women's vulnerability to climate change impacts by limiting their adaptive capacity and access to resources. Marimo et al. (2021) indicated that traditional gender roles in Kenya restrict women's mobility and access to information about climate adaptation strategies, hindering their ability to respond effectively to changing environmental conditions. Similarly, Vercillo (2022) highlights issues in Northern Ghana, where entrenched cultural norms dictate resource allocation and decision-making power within households, often sidelining women's contributions and needs. These structural inequities are compounded by climate change, which amplifies existing gender inequalities and disproportionately affects women, girls, and other at-risk populations due to their less privileged societal positions (Taylor, 2023). Challenging these cultural barriers through community engagement and education is essential for empowering women and enhancing their capacity to adapt to climate change effectively.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.2 Capacities\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWomen in Sub-Saharan Africa play a pivotal role in agriculture, significantly contributing to food security and community resilience. Enhancing their capacity for climate adaptation requires targeted empowerment through training and access to resources. Alhassan, et al. (2019), highlight that equipping woman with skills in climate-smart agriculture enhances productivity while reducing their workloads. Oyawole et al. (2021) emphasize that empowering women in agriculture fosters effective adaptation to climate challenges. This is because \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003ethe results show that men are significantly more empowered than women in four out of the five domains of empowerment and are more likely to adopt crop rotation. However, female plot managers have a higher likelihood of adopting green manure and agroforestry (Oyawole et al. 2021, P.105)\u003c/em\u003e thus, calling for the empowerment of women through training as well as effective practice crop rotation, agroforest and smart garniture to enhance climate change mitigation and adoption. Therefore, the training not only improves crop yields but also equips both with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges posed by climate change, ultimately fostering resilience, economic independence and food security within their communities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCommunity-based adaptation initiatives that actively include not only men but women as well have proven to be more effective in addressing climate change impacts. Tesfaye et al. (2023) indicate that including women in decision-making processes ensures that their unique perspectives and experiences are considered, women\u0026rsquo;s local agricultural knowledge significantly improves adaptation through local water rainwater harvesting for irrigation and afforestation activities. I quote; \u003cem\u003e\"Such initiatives harness the local knowledge and skills of women, which are vital for developing tailored responses to climate variability\u0026rdquo; (Tesfaye et al. 2023, P 774).\u003c/em\u003e Segnon et al. (2024) further support this by demonstrating in Mali, community-led projects that integrated women's perspectives resulted in innovative solutions tailored to local environmental conditions. These initiatives not only empower women but also enhance community resilience by leveraging the unique knowledge that women possess about their environments and agricultural practices.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWomen and marginalized genders in Sub-Saharan Africa hold valuable knowledge and community networks essential for climate change adaptation. Acosta et al. (2021) results emphasize that women\u0026rsquo;s insights into local ecosystems enable them to implement sustainable practices like agroforestry, seed preservation, and soil fertility management, which are crucial for adapting to climate change. Nuhu and Matsui's (2022) findings add that integrating women\u0026rsquo;s traditional ecological knowledge into formal adaptation strategies leads to better agricultural and conservation outcomes. The study further corroborated this by reporting that 91% of women formed groups to share climate-related information among themselves in the Upper East region of Ghana. Omodunni (2024) further highlights those women in Lagos, Nigeria, who contribute to resilience through methods like pest control through natural methods, intercropping, and efficient irrigation. Therefore, recognizing and integrating these practices not only empowers women but also supports sustainable systems that benefit entire communities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.3 Policy Gaps\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe intersection of gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa highlights policy gaps, particularly the lack of gender-responsive measures. This deficiency undermines the effectiveness of climate action frameworks in addressing women's specific needs. For instance, Khoza (2022) emphasizes that without integrating gender considerations into climate policies, women's unique vulnerabilities and contributions remain unrecognized. This oversight leads to inadequate support for women, who are primarily responsible for food production and resource management in many communities. Uduji and Okolo-Obasi (2023) highlight that national climate strategies often neglect women's roles, failing to empower them or enhance their adaptive capacities. In agriculture-dependent countries like Malawi and Zambia, this oversight of lack of tailored interventions limits women's potential contributions to climate resilience.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA significant barrier to effective climate action is the lack of gender-disaggregated data necessary for informed policy decisions regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation. Ampaire, et al., (2017), focused on Uganda and identified significant gaps in gender-disaggregated data, which hinder the development of effective gendered climate change adaptation policies. Mapedza et al., (2023) echo this concern, noting that the absence of comprehensive data hinders the development of targeted interventions that could enhance women's resilience to climate change. For instance, \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;without data on women's access to resources or their roles in agricultural production, policies inadvertently perpetuate existing inequalities rather than mitigate them making it difficult for women to access and benefit from Climate information services (CIS)\u0026rdquo; (Mapedzea et al. 2023, p 10).\u003c/em\u003e These findings emphasize the critical need for gender-disaggregated data to inform effective gendered climate change adaptation and mitigation policies in Sub-Saharan Africa.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMany national policies do not adequately integrate gender considerations into their climate change strategies, leading to ineffective implementation and missed opportunities for empowerment. Eastin (2018) emphasizes that while some African nations have made progress in recognizing gender issues within climate discussions, their policy frameworks often fail to translate these commitments into actionable strategies. This is echoed by Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi (2024), who indicate that national policies overlook the involvement of women in decision-making processes on climate adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria, where women's vital contributions to agriculture are not reflected in policy dialogues. Similarly, Deininger \u0026amp; Xia (2016) highlight that the absence of gender-sensitive frameworks in land-based investments undermines both social and environmental resilience, demonstrating the broader implications of such policy gaps. This exclusion perpetuates the cycle of ineffective climate action, limiting the potential for inclusive and resilient climate adaptation strategies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCapacity-building initiatives for policymakers on gender issues in climate action are often insufficient, hindering the effective implementation of gender-responsive policies. Rosengren et al., (2020) argue that training programs aimed at enhancing understanding of gender dynamics within climate contexts are lacking across many African nations. Similarly, Warinda et al. (2020) emphasize that without adequate training and resources, policymakers may struggle to design and implement strategies that genuinely reflect the needs of both men and women. The study further revealed that local government officials who receive training on gender-responsive planning in Uganda, do better in incorporating women's perspectives into climate action strategies. However, such programs remain sporadic and underfunded, limiting their impact on holistic gender-responsive climate policy frameworks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.4 Sub-Saharan Africa to the World\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.4.1 Vulnerabilities\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe findings regarding vulnerabilities, capacities, and policy gaps related to gender and climate change in sub-Saharan Africa resonate with similar themes observed in studies conducted outside the region.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of vulnerabilities, women in both sub-Saharan Africa and other global contexts face heightened risks due to climate change, primarily stemming from limited access to resources and decision-making power. Research shows that women are disproportionately affected by climate impacts, aggravating existing inequalities (Acosta et al., 2021; Eastin, 2018). For instance, the work of Aman et al. (2024) highlights how women's limited access to agricultural inputs in South Asia mirrors findings from sub-Saharan Africa, where rural women often struggle to secure land and resources necessary for adaptation. Similarly, cultural norms that restrict women's roles in decision-making processes are prevalent in both contexts, such as patriarchal traditions in rural Pakistan, where men dominate agricultural and household decisions (Shahbaz et al., 2022), and in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, where customary laws often exclude women from land ownership and leadership roles (Aman et al., 2024). Thus, while the specific cultural and socio-economic contexts may differ, the overarching theme of gendered vulnerabilities remains consistent across regions, highlighting the need to challenge entrenched norms that hinder women's capacity to implement effective climate adaptation strategies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.4.2 Capacities\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen examining capacities, the potential for women to contribute significantly to climate adaptation strategies is evident in both sub-Saharan Africa and other regions. Studies indicate that empowering women through training and resources can enhance their roles in agriculture and local ecosystems Alhassan, et al. (2019), 2024; Oyawole et al., 2021). For example, research by Hariharan et al. (2020) demonstrates that involving women in decision-making processes regarding climate-smart agricultural practices leads to improved outcomes for farming households in India. This mirrors findings from sub-Saharan Africa, where community-based adaptation initiatives that include women yield more effective responses to climate challenges (Tesfaye et al., 2023; Segnon et al., 2024). Both contexts illustrate that recognizing women's local knowledge and skills is crucial for enhancing resilience against climate change\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.4.3 Policy Gaps.\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, regarding policy gaps, both sub-Saharan Africa and other regions exhibit significant shortcomings in integrating gender-responsive measures into climate action frameworks. The absence of gender-disaggregated data hampers informed policy decisions in both contexts (Ampaire, et al. (2017); Mapedza et al., 2023). In Europe, Allwood (2020) highlights similar issues within EU development policies that fail to adequately address gender equality during crises. For example, \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eDuring the migration crisis, the EU's policies primarily focused on border security and controlling migration flows, often overlooking the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women migrants to climate shocks\u0026rdquo; (Allwood (2020, p. 330).\u003c/em\u003e Furthermore, studies show that national policies often overlook gender considerations, leading to ineffective implementation of climate strategies (Eastin, 2018; Uduji \u0026amp; Okolo-Obasi, 2024). The need for capacity-building initiatives on gender issues is echoed globally; Rosengren et al. (2020) emphasize that insufficient training for policymakers limits the development of inclusive policies. Thus, while the specific challenges may vary by region, the fundamental need for gender-responsive policies is a shared concern across different contexts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusion and Recommendations for Policy and Research Directions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe findings indicate a predominant focus on studies addressing both genders, with limited attention to men and a smaller, yet significant, number of studies focusing on women. This highlights an ongoing emphasis on achieving gender equality through the inclusion of both men and women in climate change adaptation strategies, while also highlighting the continued importance of addressing women\u0026rsquo;s unique vulnerabilities. However, the minimal attention given to men reveals a gap in understanding their roles, perspectives, and contributions in the context of gender and climate change. Future research could bridge these gaps by exploring the intersectionality of gender with other social identities including class, age, and ethnicity. Expanding the scope to include diverse perspectives on men\u0026rsquo;s contributions, experiences, and gender relations could foster the formulation of a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to gender-responsive climate adaptation strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of vulnerabilities, compared to men, women in Sub-Saharan Africa due to climate change are deeply rooted in 12 factors identified by this paper; systemic exclusions, lack of access to climate education and information, Gender variations, Limited access to land and agricultural inputs, fewer privileges in societal positions, insecure land tenure systems, lack of financial resources, domination of men-undermining women voices, cultural norms and practices, and inadequate representation in decision-making processes. These factors hinder women's ability to adapt to climate impacts and increase their exposure to risks associated with climate variability compared to men. To effectively address these vulnerabilities, it is crucial to implement gender-sensitive policies that promote women's access to resources, land ownership, and decision-making power. This includes enhancing capacity-building initiatives that empower women with the knowledge and tools necessary for sustainable practices and climate adaptation. Future research should focus on collecting gender-disaggregated data to understand the unique experiences and needs of different gender groups in climate change, enabling targeted interventions and deeper understanding of vulnerabilities and capacities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding Capacities, the review highlights the essential role women play in climate adaptation and resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa despite being vulnerable to climate shocks. 6 main capacities; Harnessing women's local and traditional ecological knowledge, empowering them through targeted training and resource access, community-based initiatives, innovative solutions tailored to the environment, and valuing community networks in communities significantly enhance their adaptive capacities to climate change. The findings indicate that inclusive decision-making processes that integrate all genders\u0026rsquo; perspectives lead to more effective local responses to climate challenges. Furthermore, recognizing women and other marginalized genders\u0026rsquo; contributions not only fosters economic independence but also strengthens community resilience against climate variability. Thus, advancing gender-responsive climate policies is imperative for achieving both food security and environmental sustainability in the region. Future research should explore women's roles in Sub-Saharan Africa's agriculture, particularly in climate change adaptation and mitigation, integrating traditional ecological knowledge into formal strategies.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConcerning Policy gaps, the intersection of gender equality and climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa highlights 8 significant policy gaps that hinder effective climate action. Current policies often lack gender-responsive frameworks, fail to acknowledge women's unique vulnerabilities and contributions in key sectors, lack gender-disaggregated data, failure to translate into actionable strategies and frameworks, Failure to empower the less privileged (women) in society, neglect women's roles in national policies, overlooking women involvement in climate policy decision making, and lack of training on gender-responsive planning by local government officials. There these gender policy gaps in key sectors, particularly agriculture and climate action, adoption and mitigation lead to one-size-fits-all solutions that fail to address the specific needs of both gender groups hindering effective climate action. To improve climate resilience and empower women, policymakers must adopt an inclusive approach prioritizing gender equity, enhance data collection efforts, and invest in targeted training programs. Therefore, addressing these gaps will enable Sub-Saharan Africa to implement more effective climate actions that recognize and utilize the vital contributions of women. Future research should assess gender-responsive policies in Sub-Saharan Africa, identify best practices, and explore innovative capacity-building approaches to address gender disparities, enhancing sustainable development goals and gender equality, especially in climate change contexts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBesides, women in sub-Saharan Africa and globally face similar but greater gendered vulnerabilities to climate change compared to men, primarily due to limited resources and decision-making power. However, empowering women through targeted initiatives enhances climate resilience, as shown by successful local adaptation efforts. Despite these capacities, significant policy gaps persist, particularly in integrating gender-responsive measures and data-driven frameworks. Consequently, addressing these gaps requires global commitment to inclusive policy-making and capacity-building.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"6. Limitations of the Review paper and Ethical Considerations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe limitations of this review included; Geographic Limitations, the study focused exclusively on Sub-Saharan Africa and may not fully capture the gender-climate change dynamics in other regions, Document Availability-Studies that had no open access and were not publicly available, limiting the breadth of papers considered; and language restriction-only English-language documents were included, potentially omitting relevant studies published in other languages. Additionally, since this study involved the analysis of secondary data published papers, there were no direct ethical concerns related to data collection. All selected papers were accessed via publicly available databases and websites as they were open-access articles. Proper citation and acknowledgement of sources were ensured to maintain academic integrity.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics Approval and Consent to Participate\u003c/strong\u003e; Not applicable. Since\u0026nbsp;this study involved the analysis of secondary data published papers, there were no direct ethical concerns related to data collection. All selected papers were accessed via publicly available databases and websites as they were open-access articles. Proper citation and acknowledgement of sources were ensured to maintain academic integrity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eI, MUHWEZI Innocent, and Dr Turyasingura John Bosco approve and consent to the publication of this manuscript titled \u0026quot;Gender Equality and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Intersectional Analysis of Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps \u0026ndash; A Scoping Review\u0026quot; in Climatic Change.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eMUHWEZI Innocent conceptualized and designed the study, conducted the literature review, analysed the data, and drafted the manuscript. While Dr Turyasingura John Bosco Reviewed and edited the manuscript\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable. (No funding)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of Data and Materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginality and Prior Publication Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI, MUHWEZI Innocent and Dr Turyasingura John Bosco, declare that this manuscript is my original work and has not been submitted for publication or published elsewhere. It represents my own research and analysis, and all sources have been properly acknowledged.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcosta, M., van Wessel, M., van Bommel, S., \u0026amp; Feindt, P. H. (2021). 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Gender, Place and Culture, 29(10), 1467 1496. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2021.2013781 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarinda, E., Nyariki, D. M., Wambua, S., Muasya, R. M., \u0026amp; Hanjra, M. A. (2020). Sustainable development in East Africa: impact evaluation of regional agricultural development projects in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. \u003cem\u003eNatural Resources Forum,\u003c/em\u003e 44(1), 3\u0026ndash;39. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12191 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Bank (2021). Africa Overview: Development News, Research, Data. World Bank Group Reports.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-environment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Environment](https://www.springer.com/44274/)","snPcode":"44274","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44274/3","title":"Discover Environment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Gender Equality, Climate Chang, Vulnerabilities, Capacities, Policy Gaps, SSA","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6817879/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6817879/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eGender disparities in Sub-Saharan Africa heighten the vulnerability of women and marginalized groups to climate variation because they rely on climate-sensitive livelihoods. However, systemic barriers and entrenched norms hinder their roles in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. This review paper explored how gender disparities intersect with climate change by examining vulnerabilities, the capacity of marginalized genders for adaptation and mitigation, and policy gaps hindering gender-responsive climate action in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper methodically mapped studies on gender equality and climate change using the PRISMA-SCR methodological framework. The paper analyzed 25 peer-reviewed articles (2016\u0026ndash;2024) to explore intersections between gender disparities, climate impacts, and policies. Key findings indicate that compared to men, women experience heightened vulnerabilities. These gendered vulnerabilities to climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa are rooted in systemic exclusion, limited access to resources, insecure land tenure, cultural norms, and inadequate representation in decision-making processes. Despite these challenges, women play a crucial role in climate adaptation through their local knowledge, community initiatives, and innovative solutions, highlighting significant capacities that enhance climate resilience. However, critical policy gaps of lack of gender-responsive frameworks, absence of gender-disaggregated data, and limited capacity-building initiatives, which hinder effective climate action and inclusive climate action persist. Therefore, bridging these gaps through inclusive gender-sensitive policies is essential for fostering sustainable development and ensuring equitable climate resilience. Nevertheless, addressing these challenges requires coordinated global and regional efforts to mainstream gender in climate policies through targeted empowerment, capacity-building, gender-sensitive policies, and gender-disaggregated data collection.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Gender Equality and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Intersectional Analysis of Vulnerabilities, Capacities, and Policy Gaps – A Scoping Review","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-07-15 08:01:12","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6817879/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-08-22T11:09:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-07-23T09:22:23+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-07-19T14:33:46+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"82536077039495498093088606994321558961","date":"2025-07-13T13:53:35+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"187219781196885936021349338888956060923","date":"2025-07-13T10:51:32+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-07-12T03:25:05+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"200162700056721182884208123983238676237","date":"2025-07-12T03:17:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-11T09:51:46+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-04T18:36:01+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-06-10T07:24:20+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-06-10T07:21:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Environment","date":"2025-06-04T07:54:07+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-environment","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Environment](https://www.springer.com/44274/)","snPcode":"44274","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44274/3","title":"Discover Environment","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"5176d55a-9cd2-4d38-8660-6c70371d40e9","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 15th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-06T21:38:08+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-07-15 08:01:12","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6817879","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6817879","identity":"rs-6817879","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}