Abstract
Environmental challenges pose significant threats to sustainable development, particularly for women in Nigeria who are disproportionately affected by climate change, environmental degradation, and pollution. This study aims to investigate the impact of environmental challenges on women's experiences which lead to climate vulnerability and their roles in sustainable development in Nigeria. A descriptive research design was employed, involving a survey of 362 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The key variables in the study included environmental challenges and women experiences, women’s role in sustainable development, and challenges of women and opportunities. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 while multiple regression analysis was employed in testing the hypothesis. The findings of the study reveal that climate change, environmental degradation, and pollution significantly affect women's livelihoods and health. Regression analysis shows a significant relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and women’s roles in sustainable development (R = 0.399, p < 0.05), with socio-demographic predictors explaining 0.356 of the variance. Education level, age, occupation, ethnic group, religion, and marital status are significant predictors of women's roles in sustainable development. The findings emphasize the necessity for an all-encompassing approach to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria, with a focus on empowering women and addressing the socio-demographic factors that influence their participation. By recognizing the importance of women’s roles in sustainable development, policymakers and stakeholders can work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable future.