Spotlight GEDA Members: Sustainable Development Policy Institute

by geda

July 14, 2025

Please tell us about yourself and your work at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute.

Sadia: I am currently engaged as the Gender and Climate Specialist at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), where I focus on advancing gender equality within the context of climate change and energy transition. With over eight years of experience in the development sector, my work centers on gender mainstreaming, intersectional analysis, and the development of gender-sensitive policies, particularly related to climate justice and sustainable development. I am dedicated to highlighting the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women and marginalized groups, and I advocate for inclusive solutions that empower these communities in adaptation, mitigation, and resilience-building efforts across South Asia.

In addition to my role at SDPI, I serve as the Focal Person for Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) and coordinate its Secretariat in Pakistan. This position allows me to collaborate with regional and national civil society organizations to develop and implement climate strategies that address key challenges such as climate financing, adaptation, and resilience. My work ensures that climate action in Pakistan and the broader South Asian region is both impactful and inclusive, positioning gender equality and social inclusion at the forefront of policy and advocacy efforts.

2. Why is data at the intersection of gender and environment/climate important to Sustainable Development Policy Institute?

Sadia: Data at the intersection of gender and environment/climate is essential to the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) because it provides critical insights into how environmental challenges and climate change affect women and marginalized groups differently. This data enables SDPI to develop gender-responsive policies and programs that recognize and address these differentiated impacts, ensuring that climate action is inclusive and equitable. Without such data, the unique vulnerabilities, contributions, and needs of diverse gender groups remain invisible, limiting the effectiveness of sustainable development initiatives and climate strategies.

Furthermore, gender-environment data supports SDPI’s commitment to evidence-based research and advocacy by informing monitoring, evaluation, and policy formulation that integrate gender equality with environmental sustainability. It helps track progress toward national and global sustainable development goals, promotes accountability, and guides corrective actions where needed. By prioritizing this data, SDPI can foster more inclusive decision-making processes and empower women and marginalized communities to participate actively in climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience-building efforts, ultimately advancing both gender equality and environmental sustainability in the region.

3. What inspired the Sustainable Development Policy Institute to become part of GEDA?

Sadia: The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) was inspired to become part of the Gender and Environment Data Alliance (GEDA) to strengthen its commitment to evidence-based, gender-responsive climate and sustainable development policies. Joining GEDA aligns with SDPI’s mission to promote inclusive and equitable development by integrating gender-sensitive data and analysis into environmental and climate research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts. This partnership enhances SDPI’s ability to collaborate with regional and global stakeholders, leverage high-quality gender-environment data, and contribute to more effective, intersectional approaches to climate action and sustainable development in Pakistan and South Asia.

4. What are you looking forward to in terms of gender and environment data this year (or what really inspired you this year)?

Sadia: This year, I am looking forward to enhanced availability and quality of gender and environment data that is more comprehensive, intersectional, and regularly collected. Such data will allow for deeper insights into how climate change and environmental challenges uniquely affect different gender groups, including marginalized populations, helping to close existing data gaps. I also anticipate greater integration of this data into policy-making processes, enabling the design of more effective, gender-responsive climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience strategies. Ultimately, improved gender-environment data will strengthen evidence-based advocacy and support inclusive sustainable development efforts across the region.

5. Is there a specific resource you’d like to share with the GEDA Insights Network?

Sadia: The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) offers a wide range of evidence-based publications including policy briefs, working papers, research reports, and conference anthologies that cover critical areas such as climate change, social development, gender, and sustainable economic policies. These publications aim to deepen understanding of local and regional challenges and provide policymakers with innovative solutions to inform decision-making. Since its establishment in 1992, SDPI has been a key resource for sustainable development research and policy advocacy in Pakistan and South Asia. You can explore their extensive collection of publications on their official website: https://www.sdpi.org/publications