Climate Change in Iraq

Iraq has been named the fifth-most vulnerable country to climate breakdown, affected by soaring temperatures, insufficient and diminishing rainfall, intensified droughts, sand and dust storms, desertification, legacy pollution, and flooding. In addition, water policies in neighboring countries have shrunk vital water resources, while rapid population growth and inefficient water use force a demand of more water. Therefore, this sweeping scale of environmental changes is devastating and have forced many Iraqis to relocate in order to survive. 

Iraqi rural populations that depend on the land for a living is experiencing the immediate impact of water scarcity and extreme weather events, women in particular are increasingly vulnerable. While many women in these communities already face imposed gender norms and patriarchal conditions, environmental degradation is putting women at further risk of exposure to gender-based violence, physical and psychological threats, early and forced marriages, and diminishing educational and economic opportunities. 

Child marriage rates are highest among climate-induced migrating communities across all displacement governorates in Iraq, and areas directly impacted by environmental degradation. Most of them perceive child marriage as a protective strategy to enhance the security of young girls and expand survival resources.

Meanwhile, women who are forced to migrate with their families and abandon their farmland face new pressures in their new homes, linked to their labor, to their economic status, as well as access to support systems and social safety nets. For instance, as families move to urban centers, men will seek to find jobs in an increasingly competitive market. On the other hand, women are more likely to be pushed to focus on household care and childbearing, which takes away from them the important economic roles they once occupied. With the decline in their economic role, they are also more likely to experience added pressure to conform to gender norms and added risk of falling victims to abuse and violence. 

WANi delivers customized training programs for initiatives led by women, designed to integrate gender-sensitive climate adaptation strategies. Moreover, WANi empowers young girls to become advocates for climate change mitigation and educates them about detrimental practices that contribute to pollution and mismanagement of water resources.

WANi is actively engaged in collaborative efforts with grassroots organizations across Iraq to lead the introduction of environmentally sustainable job opportunities. Through these endeavors, we aim not only to foster economic empowerment but also to promote environmentally conscious practices within local communities. By partnering with local initiatives, we seek to empower individuals with the skills and resources needed to thrive in green industries, thereby contributing to both economic development and environmental stewardship.

At WANi we are committed to bridging the gap between conservative initiatives and women’s organizations to address the pressing issue of climate-induced displacement. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, particularly women and marginalized communities, we are working to establish meaningful connections and facilitate collaborative efforts. By enhancing preparedness and resilience through these partnerships, we strive to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and ensure the inclusion and empowerment of all individuals, regardless of background, in adaptation and response strategies.