On 8 March we held a panel discussion with leading global voices on the role of women in tackling climate change.

Our panel of speakers for the event: 

• Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, CEO, Christian Aid
• Vanessa Nakate, Ugandan Climate activist and Champion
• Bishop Marines R Santos Bassotto, of the Anglican Dioceses of the Amazon, Brazil
• Wanun Permpibul, Executive Director of Climate Watch Thailand and member of Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD)
• Farhana Yamin, Veteran Climate Lawyer and Activist – via video message

The climate crisis is shaped by power relations, which disproportionately impact women and girls, who bear the brunt of environmental and human rights abuses.

Women are less likely to be compensated for loss of income for climate change-induced disasters as they are not recognised heads of households, property owners or formal income earners.

Yet, despite understanding most keenly the impacts, not just on themselves, but also on future generations, they are often excluded from decision-making tables.

It’s critical to capture and codify the expertise and visions of these women and marginalised communities if we are to transform the old system which has led to our climate emergency and build a new planetary social contract that seeks to put the last first and leave no one behind.

The work for a clean and sustainable environment that protects our planet requires a grassroots as well as a top down approach – sustainability built from the ground up. Sustainable change rarely come from within the system, it often comes from outside. from the disruption of protest, from women, youth, the grassroots. Women around the world are already leading movements for climate justice, and challenging issues such as land grabbing and environmental destruction.

Full article here.

Watch the panel here.