“We don’t know what we don’t know”: rural council officers’ perceptions of the gendered impacts of climate change in Australia

Climate change presents escalating health risks, disproportionately affecting women and children in rural communities. A major concern for this population is the gender-based violence associated with climate-related disasters. In Victoria, Australia, local governments are legislatively required to address both climate-related health impacts and gendered harm. However, the extent to which these mandates are being implemented remains unclear.

This research used a mixed-method approach, combining an online survey (n = 27) and in-depth, semi-structured interviews (n = 13) with council officers and elected representatives from rural Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Victoria. Recruitment involved email invitations sent to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all 48 rural LGAs, identified through the Victorian Local Government Directory, with information about the research for internal distribution within their organisation. The research examined their perceptions of climate-related health risks, gendered impacts, and the barriers to embedding gender-responsive planning in local adaptation strategies. Survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics and interview data was thematically analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach.

Findings revealed a growing awareness of the intersection between climate change, public health, and gender by participants and within their councils along with an evolving interest in capacity building. However, council awareness of national frameworks such as the Gender and Emergency Management (GEM) Guidelines was low, and there was limited council integration of gender considerations in climate and health planning. Female council officers reported dual burdens during disasters, specifically professional responsibilities and unpaid caregiving, highlighting systemic gaps in support and recognition. Council participants cited underfunding, fragmented responsibilities, and lack of practical tools as key barriers to effective implementation.

Rural councils are constrained in their ability to meet policy mandates for gender-responsive climate adaptation. A shift toward gender-transformative planning is urgently needed; one that centres lived experience, challenges harmful norms, and promotes equity. Such a shift requires coordinated action across government levels, sustained investment in local capacity building, and inclusive governance structures. Policymakers must evaluate systems, consider the intersections of gendered vulnerabilities and rural disadvantage, while also prioritise support for rural LGAs through targeted funding, training, and implementation tools that enable meaningful integration of gender equity into climate and disaster planning. Without such action, rural communities will remain exposed to compounding risks and inequitable outcomes of climate change for women.