Climate change poses a significant challenge for women in agriculture, who rely heavily on farming not only for their livelihoods but also to ensure food security for their families and communities. Women market vendors in the Pacific face additional pressure due to the region’s high exposure to climate change impacts, with island populations already experiencing these effects. It is therefore critical to fully understand the vulnerability of women market vendors to mitigate risks and strengthen their resilience. This requires a comprehensive assessment of each component of vulnerability: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Drawing on the experiences of 69 market vendors and 18 government and civil society representatives in Vanuatu, this study identifies key drivers of sensitivity and adaptive capacity that emerge and persist due to broader contexts and conditions. An in-depth analysis of these drivers and broader conditions reveals that the root causes of women market vendors’ vulnerability lie in enviro-geographical factors, political-economic systems, and socio-cultural norms. Understanding what makes women more sensitive to climate change—and what hinders or enhances their ability to adapt—is crucial to effectively support them in facing its increasing impacts.