Empowering Women in Climate Action: Urgent Call to Action
During a pivotal dialogue on environmental conservation, the Commission on the Status of Women urged governments to close the gap between policy and practice, particularly for Indigenous women and marginalized groups. As the two-week annual session continues, speakers highlighted the urgent need to address the barriers hindering women’s participation in climate action, emphasizing that progress is being undermined by anti-rights actors aligned with fossil fuel interests. The discussions aim to align the Beijing Platform for Action with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to foster gender-responsive environmental initiatives.
Bridging Policy and Practice for Indigenous Women
Lorena Aguilar, Executive Director at the Kaschak Institute for Social Justice for Women and Girls, emphasized the critical barriers Indigenous women face in securing land and resource rights. She noted that while many governments have policies aimed at promoting environmental education and gender inclusion, these often fail to translate into real opportunities. The dialogue aims to explore how governments, academia, and civil society can better support Indigenous communities in overcoming these challenges. Aguilar stressed the importance of showcasing best practices and scalable strategies that align with the Beijing Platform for Action and the SDGs, particularly as the world looks toward 2030. The goal is to empower young women to actively participate in green and blue economies, ensuring their voices are heard in climate and environmental decision-making.
Exclusion of Women from Green and Blue Economies
Manasiti Omar, Founder and Executive Director of Spring of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, shared her personal experiences as a young Indigenous woman facing barriers in accessing opportunities within the green and blue economies. She highlighted that despite existing policies promoting gender inclusion, young women from marginalized communities often encounter significant obstacles. These include structural inequalities, financial constraints, and cultural biases that hinder their participation in climate action. Omar called for dismantling these barriers to create pathways that empower young women to lead in environmental initiatives. She emphasized that when given the right opportunities, young women can transform entire communities, underscoring the need for systemic change to ensure their full engagement in climate solutions.
Addressing Structural Inequalities in Environmental Governance
Astrid Puentes Riaño, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, stressed the importance of a systematic approach to dismantling barriers that exclude women, particularly those from marginalized communities. She highlighted that true progress requires more than just policy commitments; it necessitates real opportunities for women to engage in environmental governance. Riaño called for addressing structural inequalities and ensuring access to education and leadership roles for women. She emphasized that women and girls in marginalized situations are not merely victims but are crucial agents of change in the fight for a sustainable future. Her remarks underscored the urgent need for inclusive leadership to tackle the pressing environmental challenges facing the world today.
Mobilizing Against Anti-Rights Actors
Sascha Gabizon, Executive Director of Women Engage for a Common Future, expressed her frustration with the current state of global environmental activism. Reflecting on her experiences from the fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing 30 years ago, she lamented the setbacks caused by anti-rights actors aligned with fossil fuel industries. Gabizon highlighted the alarming trend of authoritarian regimes silencing climate activists and women’s rights defenders. She pointed out that a significant portion of CO2 emissions comes from a small number of fossil fuel corporations, and called for a collective mobilization to demand accountability and implement gender-just solutions. Gabizon urged activists to engage in policy processes and advocate for systemic changes that prioritize environmental justice and gender equality.
Innovative Solutions: Solar Farming and Community Engagement
Valbona Mazreku, Founder and Director of Milieukontakt Albania, shared insights on integrating gender-responsive policies into climate adaptation efforts. She highlighted the challenges faced by rural women in Albania, where limited access to resources and technology restricts their ability to make sustainable land-use decisions. Mazreku’s organization has initiated the Piskova Solar Farming project, which empowers local farmers and aims to influence women’s career aspirations in the renewable energy sector. By providing training and resources, the initiative seeks to break down gender stereotypes and prepare the next generation for participation in the green economy. This approach underscores the importance of recognizing women not just as victims of climate change but as vital contributors to sustainable solutions. Yuli Velásquez, Director of the Federation of Artisanal, Environmental and Tourist Fishermen of Santander, Colombia, highlighted the role of fisherwomen as guardians of local biodiversity. Despite operating in a male-dominated field, these women are at the forefront of environmental justice efforts, gathering evidence on water pollution and advocating for community rights. Velásquez emphasized the need for stronger state institutions to protect social and environmental activists from threats and violence, reinforcing the call for inclusive governance that recognizes the contributions of women in environmental stewardship.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
