The adverse impacts of climate change on aquatic food systems (AFS) and the people who depend on AFS for livelihood security are inequitably distributed between and within countries. People facing the highest risks and experiencing the severest impacts of climate change are those who already experience multidimensional inequalities in their lives, particularly because of their gender, class, age, indigeneity, ethnicity, caste, religion, and the physical and political conditions that can create additional vulnerabilities. 

The research article explores the disparate impacts of climate change on aquatic food systems (AFS), focusing on how these effects are inequitably distributed across different social groups. The study emphasizes the need for gender-responsive and intersectional approaches to improve resilience in AFS, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, minorities, and those in lower-income countries. The research is based on a review of recent and relevant literature, alongside an analysis of data from the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (2018 – 2019) and the Illuminating Hidden Harvest study (2019). The study relied on the gendered agrifood system and aquatic food climate risk frameworks to guide on literature search, review, and data analyses.

The findings show that intersecting identities disadvantage certain AFS actors, particularly young women from minority ethnic groups, and create challenges for them to manage and adapt to climate shocks and stresses. Examples of gender-responsive and transformative interventions are highlighted in the review to showcase how such intersectional disadvantages can be addressed to increase women’s empowerment and social and gender equality.

Photo: Fishermen working collectively to haul boat in after catch, during Covid-19 restrictions in Kerala – India.
Credit: Anamika Amani, GWA