The girl child and climate justice in South Africa and Zimbabwe: A comparative legal and policy perspective

Climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, with girls facing unique challenges that exacerbate existing inequalities. This article examines the intersection of climate justice and the rights of the girl child through a comparative legal and policy analysis of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Drawing on international human rights frameworks and national climate policies, the article investigates how the legal and policy landscapes in South Africa and Zimbabwe address the rights of the girl child in the context of climate change. The article uses primary and secondary sources ranging from constitutional provisions on climate-related legislation to publications, government reports, legal documents and policy papers relevant to South Africa and Zimbabwe. It provides a descriptive figure of the girl child as the intersectionality of being female and a child, as a vulnerable person, in the context of climate change. It found that key issues exist with the existing legal and policy framework that expose the vulnerability of the girl child to climate injustice. Responding to these issues will help improve gender inclusion in policy making and protect girls from climate change impacts in South Africa and Zimbabwe.