Mambwe District in Zambia faces
recurring climate shocks—including
floods, droughts, and pest outbreaks—
that disproportionately affect women
and other vulnerable groups. Nationally,
over 60% of rural women rely on rain-fed
agriculture, making them highly
susceptible to climate variability. In
Mambwe, female-headed households
are 15% more likely to experience food
insecurity during drought years, and
women represent less than 20% of
decision-makers in local disaster
response committees referred to as
Satellite Disaster Management Committees
(SDMCs). 

These disparities are
compounded for people with disabilities
(PWDs), who face systemic barriers to
accessing early warning systems, relief
and reconstruction services, and
livelihood recovery programs. Global
evidence confirms that disasters are not
gender neutral: women and girls are 14
times more likely to die during climate
disasters than men, according to UNDP
estimates.