Strengthening Women’s Leadership in the Gender-Climate-Peace Nexus

The Strengthening Women’s Leadership in the Gender-Climate-Peace Nexus programme is a unique opportunity for women and gender advocates from the Global South to develop essential skills in climate governance, peacebuilding, and disaster risk management. This e-learning initiative is designed to equip participants with knowledge and tools to lead gender-responsive climate action, navigate climate-related conflicts, and advance their careers in environmental governance and decision-making.

Participants will engage in a comprehensive learning journey hosted online by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in partnership with the African Risk Capacity (ARC).

Programme Overview

The Strengthening Women’s Leadership in the Gender-Climate-Peace Nexus programme spans four months from 21 January to 30 April 2026, delivered entirely online in English. This blended e-learning format combines self-paced courses with interactive webinars, enabling participants to gain foundational knowledge while engaging with peers and experts in real time.

Key objectives of the programme include:

• Equipping women and gender advocates with skills for gender-responsive climate action
• Building expertise to manage climate-related conflicts
• Cultivating leadership for climate governance and decision-making

Why Women’s Leadership in Climate and Peace Matters

Women and marginalized communities play a critical role in climate adaptation and disaster response. However, these groups often face barriers to accessing the technical knowledge needed to advance their careers in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Action (CCA). As a result, women’s perspectives and leadership in climate-related policies are often underrepresented.

This programme addresses these gaps by providing participants with tools to actively influence policy, shape gender-sensitive strategies, and enhance resilience in their communities.

Programme Structure and Modules

The programme is organized into three thematic modules, each with a dedicated focus:

Module 1 – Gender & Climate

This module introduces essential gender concepts and explores the intersection of gender and environmental issues. Participants will examine how gender roles influence climate vulnerability and resilience. Moreover, a live webinar allows participants to reflect on their learnings and share practical experiences in applying gender perspectives to climate-related challenges.

Module 2 – Conflict & Climate

Module 2 explores the relationship between climate change and peace and security. Participants gain analytical tools to understand climate-induced conflicts and integrated approaches for addressing security risks. Additionally, a dedicated webinar facilitates dialogue on strengthening resilience and peacebuilding through inclusive climate adaptation strategies.

Module 3 – Climate Leadership

The final module focuses on developing leadership competencies for influencing policy and driving change. Participants will learn international climate negotiation processes, inclusive leadership strategies, and stress management techniques. The module concludes with a peer-learning session and a webinar on career strategies, preparing participants to take action in their professional and community contexts.

Methodology

The programme adopts a blended learning approach, allowing participants to study self-paced courses and then join interactive webinars for discussion and peer exchange. Consequently, learners can build a solid knowledge foundation while also connecting with experts and fellow participants. Each module integrates theory and practical applications to ensure actionable learning outcomes.

Target Audience

This programme is designed for:

• Women and gender advocates from the Global South
• Professionals working at the intersection of gender, climate, and peace
• Individuals seeking to strengthen gender-responsive approaches in DRM and CCA

Timeline

• 11 Jan 2026: Registration closes
• 12–20 Jan 2026: Recruitment and enrolment
• 21 Jan 2026: Webinar 1 – Welcome & Context Setting
• Feb 2026: Module 1 – Gender & Climate
• End of Feb 2026: Webinar 2 – Women Driving Climate Action & Disaster Resilience
• Mar 2026: Module 2 – Conflict & Climate
• End of Mar 2026: Webinar 3 – Addressing Climate-Related Security Risks
• Apr 2026: Module 3 – Climate Leadership
• End of Apr 2026: Final Peer-Learning Session & Certificate Presentation

Interested participants can apply here.