ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Climate Change, Disaster, and Gender in India: A Thematic Analysis

This study attempts to explain the interplay of climate change, disaster, and gender in India, with an emphasis on how environmental crises worsens the existing social inequalities. The thematic analysis of 21 news articles, opinions and editorials published between 2023 and 2025 helped to identify seven interconnected themes: economic vulnerability, menstrual hygiene and general public health, disproportionate vulnerability, women’s leadership food security, cultural norms, and gender-based violence. Findings reveal that structural inequalities such as unequal access to necessary resources, gendered labor roles, and derogatory cultural practices sharpens women’s exposure to various environmental hazards. At the same time, women’s agency comes up through grassroots initiatives and institutional adaptation strategies thus reflecting resilience and leadership in climate response. The analysis also underscores climate-induced migration, lack of inclusive disaster planning and systemic marginalization as critical factors that worsens gender disparities in times of crisis. By placing gender at the center of environmental discourse, the study highlights the need for gender-responsive and inclusive climate policies that integrates health, economic resilience, and protections against gender-based violence. It argues that such policies are important not only for addressing immediate vulnerabilities but also for fostering long-term sustainability. The findings contribute to the growing discussion on gendered climate impacts, offering insights for sustainable development and inclusive governance frameworks. In nutshell, the study highlights the importance of combining gender perspectives into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to ensure equitable and resilient futures in the face of climate change. Keywords: gender, climate change, disaster, thematic analysis, archival study