{"id":1370,"date":"2021-11-09T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-08T23:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greens-efa.eu\/opinions\/?p=1370"},"modified":"2021-11-09T11:17:47","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T10:17:47","slug":"gender-and-cop26-why-the-climate-summit-should-be-on-every-feminists-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greens-efa.eu\/opinions\/gender-and-cop26-why-the-climate-summit-should-be-on-every-feminists-agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"Gender and COP26: Why the climate summit should be on every feminist\u2019s agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Today, for Gender Day at the COP26, we list five goals that all feminists should be keeping their eyes on at the UN climate conference taking place right now.<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Former Irish President, Mary Robinson,<\/strong> notoriously said, \u201cClimate change is a manmade problem, that requires a feminist solution.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is a massively important turning point for the future of gender equality, feminist policy and women\u2019s human rights. Gender justice cannot be sidelined when debating the future of our planet. It\u2019s time for governments and institutions to take note, and put gender equality at the heart of any viable strategies on climate and ecology. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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What do we mean when we say that gender and climate go hand in hand?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Gender inequality is one of the major divides in our societies. The gender pay, pension and employment gaps remain significant. Women are still under-represented in positions of power and decision-making. The gendered division of labour keeps women responsible for the majority of unpaid care work. This means women are more likely to live in social and economic precarity, making women more vulnerable and with fewer means to respond and adapt to climate disasters. All aspects of climate change have a gender dimension. The causes, the impacts and the policies to respond to climate change all have different effects on women and men.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The slogan of gender activists in the international climate negotiations is \u2018no climate justice without gender justice\u2019<\/strong>. A just transition to a greener world must include efforts towards gender equality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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It\u2019s time for a feminist, fierce and fossil free future. Here is why.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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No climate justice without gender justice: we must reinforce leadership for women, girls and gender diverse people<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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Women, girls and gender diverse people are on the front line combatting the climate crisis in our communities. We need to ensure that women, girls and gender diverse people\u2019s calls are heard and their needs addressed in the climate context. They need to be included throughout the whole decision-making process and at the negotiating table. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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The wisdom, leadership and experiences of indigenous people, people from the Global South and people already suffering from the climate crises must be seen as agents of change. They must be at the centre when negotiating climate policies. This Australian study is only one of many research projects to prove that diversity in leadership has a massive positive impact<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Gender equality and women\u2019s human rights are fundamental and undisputable in combating climate change. Recognising the important contributions of women and gender diverse people as decision-makers, stakeholders, educators, carers and experts across sectors and at all levels is the only way to achieve successful, long-term solutions to climate change. Fighting climate change must mean fighting for gender equality.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Nothing neutral about the crisis: states must recognize how the climate crisis affects us differently <\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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Climate change deepens already existing inequalities. The poorest and most vulnerable people in the world are the hardest hit by the impacts of climate change. Food and water insecurity – and extreme weather events such as droughts, heat waves and floods – have a greater impact on the poor and most vulnerable. 70% of the world\u2019s poor are women.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Climate change has damaging effects, and can endanger mental health as much as physical health.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Attempts to adapt to climate change, particularly in poorer countries, are failing. Resources are being wasted because they do not take gender inequality and the effects on women and girls into account. It is essential to assess, disseminate and raise awareness about the impacts of environmental policies on women, both by public policies, and public and private industries.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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The principles of gender equality must be enshrined in all climate-related texts and mechanisms: <\/p>\n<\/div>

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