At the Conference of Youth – Punjab Chapter 2025, delegates heard a presentation from Omer Bangash of Welthungerhilfe Pakistan linking gender justice to stronger climate resilience and progress toward zero hunger. The talk argued that empowering women and removing barriers for marginalized groups are essential strategies for building fairer, more food-secure communities in the face of climate change.
The session featured Omer Bangash, Advisor for Food & Nutrition Security at Welthungerhilfe Pakistan, who addressed participants on the theme “How Gender Justice Can Advance Climate Resilience and Zero Hunger.” He outlined the interconnections between gender equality, food security, and the ability of communities to withstand climate shocks.
Bangash stressed that gender justice is both a human-rights imperative and a practical pathway to better outcomes. When women have equal access to resources, decision-making, and information, households and communities are better equipped to adapt to climate impacts, maintain food supplies, and recover from crises.
Delegates were urged to recognize that achieving climate goals and eliminating hunger requires active efforts to dismantle social and structural barriers. The presentation called for policies and programs that uplift marginalized voices, integrate gender considerations into climate planning, and prioritize inclusion across all stages of adaptation and food-security initiatives.
Participants left the session encouraged to make gender equity a central element of climate action strategies, emphasizing that inclusive approaches will produce stronger, fairer, and more resilient communities.
