Building Women’s Economic Resilience Before the Next Climate Shock

Kenya is preparing for the possibility of significant climate-related disruption as the country anticipates El Niño conditions. Government agencies are strengthening preparedness measures, while Kenya is expected to access approximately US$400 million in emergency World Bank financing to help address emerging pressures, including the anticipated effects of El Niño.
For communities dependent on agriculture, livestock, informal businesses and natural resources, climate shocks are also economic shocks. Crops can be lost, businesses disrupted and household incomes reduced. Women, who play a major role in household livelihoods and small-scale economic activities, can be particularly exposed to these disruptions. This makes women’s economic resilience an essential part of climate preparedness. Financial inclusion is more than having access to a bank account or a loan. Women need financial tools that help them prepare for disruptions, protect their livelihoods and recover from losses.
Savings can provide a buffer when income falls, while appropriate credit, insurance and digital financial services can help women manage risks and maintain economic activity during difficult periods. For women entrepreneurs, resilience can also mean diversifying income sources, building emergency savings and developing businesses that are better prepared for unexpected disruptions. Resilience also depends on the livelihoods women pursue. Those working in agriculture and livestock need access to climate-smart practices, reliable weather information, appropriate technologies and markets. Small-business owners can strengthen resilience through business diversification, digital tools and financial planning that takes potential disruptions into account.
Climate information should therefore become part of everyday economic decision-making: when to invest, what to produce, when to save and how to prepare for potential losses. Emergency financing and government response are important when a crisis occurs, but communities also need the capacity to withstand shocks before they happen. Community organisations and self-help initiatives can support women by strengthening financial literacy, savings practices, livelihood diversification and access to climate-related information and opportunities.
Climate shocks cannot always be prevented, but their economic impact can be reduced when women have the knowledge, financial tools and support systems needed to prepare. As Kenya strengthens its climate preparedness, investing in women’s economic resilience is an investment in stronger households, sustainable livelihoods and more resilient communities.
For Salama Self Help Foundation, empowering women with the resources and opportunities to build secure and sustainable livelihoods remains an important part of building resilient communities.