Climate change governance increasingly emphasizes local-level decision making, where communities directly experience climate risks and implement adaptation strategies. Within this context, the role of women has gained growing attention due to their close interaction with natural resources, household management responsibilities, and community leadership roles. This paper examines the role of women in local climate governance and decision-making processes using secondary data drawn from international reports, national policy documents, academic literature, and institutional datasets. The study highlights how women’s participation contributes to more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable climate actions at the grassroots level. Evidence from global and Indian contexts indicates that women’s involvement enhances community resilience, improves resource management, and strengthens climate adaptation outcomes. However, structural barriers such as socio-cultural norms, limited access to decision-making platforms, and inadequate institutional support continue to restrict women’s effective participation. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for gender-responsive policies, capacity-building initiatives, and inclusive governance frameworks to strengthen women’s role in local climate governance.
