COP 21 and Women
COP21, also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference will be held in Paris, France, from 30 November to 11 December 2015. For the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, it aims to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.
WfWP is keenly awaiting the new global accord on climate. If this accord is to succeed, it is imperative that it takes into account the disproportionate effects of climate change on women. Women are left more vulnerable than men by the effects of climate change because in 2015, we have not achieved gender equality. Gender inequality constrains the ability of women to adapt to and cope with climate change. It is vital therefore that any efforts to combat the effects of climate change take women into account.
The threats of climate change are not gender-neutral. Women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men—primarily as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent for their livelihood on natural resources that are threatened by climate change. Climate change has significant impacts on fresh water sources, affecting the availability of water used for domestic and productive tasks. The consequences of the increased frequency in floods and droughts are far reaching, particularly for vulnerable groups, including women who are responsible for water management at the household level. By comparison with men in poor countries, women face historical disadvantages, which include limited access to decision-making and economic assets that compound the challenges of climate change.
WfWP recognizes that women play a central role in the provision, management and safeguarding of water. Women are the water users and therefore the ones with knowledge and stakes. Women’s expertise, voice and leadership are thus essential to sustainable water access. WfWP positions women as active leaders, partners, experts and agents of change in water.
Gender equality benefits every one of us, therefore, the universal agreement produced at COP21 must ensure the participation and leadership of women in decision-making processes; incorporate the use of gender indicators in reports and national action plans; commit to the allocation of significant and dedicated resources that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, and support initiatives led by women and women’s organisations. Most importantly, policymakers must ensure that all climate action is gender-responsive, rather than just gender-sensitive. In other words, it is important that not only does the document show an awareness of gender inequality, but that it focuses on concrete action. (UN Women)
COP21, also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference will be held in Paris, France, from 30 November to 11 December 2015. For the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, it aims to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.
WfWP is keenly awaiting the new global accord on climate. If this accord is to succeed, it is imperative that it takes into account the disproportionate effects of climate change on women. Women are left more vulnerable than men by the effects of climate change because in 2015, we have not achieved gender equality. Gender inequality constrains the ability of women to adapt to and cope with climate change. It is vital therefore that any efforts to combat the effects of climate change take women into account.
The threats of climate change are not gender-neutral. Women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men—primarily as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent for their livelihood on natural resources that are threatened by climate change. Climate change has significant impacts on fresh water sources, affecting the availability of water used for domestic and productive tasks. The consequences of the increased frequency in floods and droughts are far reaching, particularly for vulnerable groups, including women who are responsible for water management at the household level. By comparison with men in poor countries, women face historical disadvantages, which include limited access to decision-making and economic assets that compound the challenges of climate change.
WfWP recognizes that women play a central role in the provision, management and safeguarding of water. Women are the water users and therefore the ones with knowledge and stakes. Women’s expertise, voice and leadership are thus essential to sustainable water access. WfWP positions women as active leaders, partners, experts and agents of change in water.
Gender equality benefits every one of us, therefore, the universal agreement produced at COP21 must ensure the participation and leadership of women in decision-making processes; incorporate the use of gender indicators in reports and national action plans; commit to the allocation of significant and dedicated resources that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, and support initiatives led by women and women’s organisations. Most importantly, policymakers must ensure that all climate action is gender-responsive, rather than just gender-sensitive. In other words, it is important that not only does the document show an awareness of gender inequality, but that it focuses on concrete action. (UN Women)
