22 December 2024: The Winter Workshop 2024, ‘Impact of Climate-Induced Forced Displacement on Women in the Global South,’ held from December 16 to 21, 2024, explored the intersections of climate change, forced migration, and gender vulnerabilities. Organized by the Center on Gender and Forced Displacement (CGFD) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in collaboration with Christ University and the Calcutta Research Group and supported by IDRC and Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM), the workshop fostered inclusive participation, notably engaging students from Myanmar.
Over six days, the event critically examined structural inequities exacerbated by environmental crises, focusing on the lived experiences of women in the Global South. Thematic modules blended theoretical frameworks with empirical case studies, providing a multidimensional and interdisciplinary understanding of climate-induced migration. Sessions progressed from foundational concepts to detailed regional analyses of South and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the gendered dimensions of displacement. It addressed global governance frameworks, including the Refugee and Statelessness Conventions, Sustainable Development Goals, and domestic policy contexts.
Prof. Paula Banerjee, IDRC Endowed Chair and Director of the CGFD, stated, “Climate change has a profound impact on everyone, displacing thousands of people in South and Southeast Asia each year. However, there is a significant lack of policies to assist people in coping with its effects. Climate change affects women and men differently, and finding solutions requires innovative thinking. This course is designed to encourage creative approaches that can help shape equitable policies for women, acknowledging that when women suffer, the entire society suffers.”
The workshop combined lectures, group work, and presentations, fostering dynamic engagement. Feminist and participatory methodologies underscored intersectional, context-specific approaches. Scholars and practitioners contributed diverse perspectives, from legal and human rights analyses to economic assessments of labor migration and entrepreneurship.
The workshop’s key focus was policy praxis, exploring international and domestic legal frameworks and adaptive strategies. Discussions highlighted rights-based approaches, gender-disaggregated analyses, and the compounded vulnerabilities faced by women in displacement scenarios. Case studies and situational analyses revealed the complex relationship between socioeconomic displacement, environmental degradation, and geopolitical constraints.
The workshop concluded with actionable recommendations for future scholarship and policy advocacy. The valedictory session outlined new themes and areas for exploration, aiming for greater inclusivity and comprehensive future editions.
Organizers expressed aspirations to establish the workshop as an annual event, potentially adopting a hybrid format to enhance global participation. This inaugural edition reinforced CGFD’s commitment to addressing forced displacement through a gendered lens, promoting inclusive networks and collaborative approaches to global challenges.
