Climate change-induced weather variations, coupled with deforestation, require greater distance to be travelled to collect food and water from safe sources, thus diverting time that would otherwise be used for income-generating activities, community activities or simply for leisure. Women and girls who travel farther from home to find food and water are also at risk of sexual harassment. In households that reduce non-food expenditures in response to rising food costs, young and adolescent girls are likely to be pulled out of school, while available funds are likely to be redirected to educate boys. Policies in the region must address the three dimensions of food security—availability, accessibility and utilization, while also acknowledging the gendered aspects of these dimensions, which impact the health and nutritional status of children and women.