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This paper systematically discusses the impacts of climate change on marginalized women and the ways in which they are actively responding to climate challenges and building their adaptive capacity and resilience in the urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Although climate variability and change can amplify gender inequalities, women are also agents of change who can play a key role in building the adaptation capacity and resilience of households and whole communities. They possess valuable knowledge, experience and skills that place them in a unique position to contribute toward the implementation of sustainable and cost-effective adaptation strategies.

The study finds that it is necessary for local government and the private sector to facilitate the creation of enabling conditions for the adoption of transformational adaptation to climate change and ensure that they are sustained. Local governments need to invest more in poverty alleviation, involve both men and women in decision-making, and mainstream gender into pro-poor climate change responses so as not to exacerbate gender inequalities or vulnerabilities. Furthermore, gender-sensitive practices that are capable of transforming the current policy and governance landscape need to be promoted, while building capabilities for women to adapt to climate change and build resilience.