COP 22: Women and Climate Change
Ms. Bano and other speakers at the event "Women at Climate Change Negotiations in Fragile Contexts" at COP 22.
The 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) is currently in the 2nd week in Marrakech, Morocco. Gender Concerns International is supporting the initiatives taken by women and civil society organisations by speaking at two events and launching its own initiative.
On the 14th of November, Director Sabra Bano spoke at the event entitled “Women at Climate Change Negotiations in Fragile Contexts” held by PeaceWomen Across the Globe. The event identified challenges and opportunities presented by women’s inclusion in climate change negotiations linked to fragile contexts. Furthermore, Ms. Bano will also speak about women’s leadership and the role of women entrepreneurs in the fight against climate change at the event “We Act for Change” held by W.E. Act for Africa.
Due to gender roles and gender inequalities, men and women experience the impacts of climate change differently with women being overly affected. Previous initiatives including the Beijing Platform for Action, Agenda 21 and the ‘Doha Miracle’ gender decision have stressed women's participation in environmental policy-making and implementation. Nevertheless, there is still an unequal participation of women in decision-making processes preventing women from fully contributing to environmental policy-making and implementation overlooking women’s significant perspective and experiences.
Moreover, it has been recognized by a number of experts, governments and international institutions, including the United Nations and the European Union, that climate change is a challenge to human and global security.
It is within this context that Gender Concerns International will launch its initiative, The Post-COP Gender Watch International Network (G-WIN), on November 17th. G-WIN will represent an opportunity for Women's and Civil Society Organisations to collectivise a multi-stakeholder voice to audit and monitor the implementation of environmental policies.