Women and Climate Change: Mapping Vulnerabilities and Contributions in Siak Regency, Riau Province

Climate change poses serious environmental, social, and economic challenges, with uneven impacts across populations. Women, due especially in developing regions, often face greater risks due to their socio-economic roles and reliance on natural resource. This paper discusses the impacts of climate change on women in Riau Province, about vulnerability, response, and role in adaptation. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research involved in-depth interviews with 25 women in Siak Regency who are active in domestic and food-related sectors. It examines their lived experiences, adaptive strategies, and the structural barriers that limit their participation in climate response efforts. The research findings reveal that women face significant ecological pressures, including water constraints, declining agricultural productivity, and increased food insecurity. Despite these challenges, they demonstrate resilience through indigenous knowledge, community support systems, and innovations in household resource management. However, gender inequality in access to education, resources, and decision-making continue to hide their full contribution to climate adaptation. The above findings bring out an urgent need for a gender-sensitive and inclusive climate policy that shall institute women not only as an integral part of strengthening community resilience but also as main actors who facilitate equitable and sustainable adaptation.