Women Leaders
Women Leaders for Global Action on Climate Change
Women represent more than 50% of the world’s population yet continue to be under-represented at all levels of governmental decision-making. When it comes to climate change — arguably the most important issue of our time — women have been noticeably absent from the discourse and debate around this global crisis. In 2010, this is finally starting to change, and women are positioning themselves as agents for change.
The leadership of women parliamentarians and decision-makers is urgently needed to bring a gender perspective, particularly the voices and experiences of poor women, to equitably shape climate change policies.
WEDO collaborates with women leaders in various regions and countries to bring women’s voices into governmental climate change policies and programs, as well as legislation.
In October 2008, WEDO was a co-organizing partner for CAPWIP’s Third Global Congress of Women in Politics and Governance, in Manila, Philippines, which focused on gender in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
The conference brought together parliamentarians and other decision-makers, along with UN and civil society leaders, to commit to action on gender and climate change. Read the Manila Declaration for Global Action on Gender in Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction here!
In 2009, WEDO was proud to administer the Women Delegates Fund (WDF) to support women’s participation on their national delegations to climate change negotiations. Read more on WDF here.
The Latest Women Leaders News
GEAR Campaign Enthusiastically Welcomes the New Under-Secretary-General, Michelle Bachelet, Former Chilean President
New York– The Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) Campaign is thrilled that the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has chosen Michelle Bachelet as the new Under-Secretary-General (USG) of UN Women. This appointment is essential to the effectiveness of the new entity and the campaign is pleased that the UN SG has selected a qualified and strong leader for this high level UN position that will envision and work for the future of women’s rights and advocate for women worldwide.
In memory of Godelieve Karikurubu, gender advocate from Burundi
New York, April 26, 2010 — WEDO celebrates the life and accomplishments of Godelieve Karikurubu, an environmental and gender advocate from Burundi.
She was a colleague and ally of WEDO and gender and climate change work through the Women Delegates Fund (WDF). While her unexpected passing is tragic news for her family, friends, colleagues and the countless women to whom she dedicated her work, we can admire the enormous positive contribution she made to her community, her country and women around the world. As a strong, dynamic woman, Godelieve was a leader in women’s empowerment, gender and climate change, sustainable …
UN Calls for Greater Role for Women in Climate Change Decision-making
New York, September 29– In a message to the high-level event on “Peace and Security through Women’s Leadership: Acting on 1325 and Climate Change,” organized in New York by Finland and Liberia, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on UN member States to give women a greater say in addressing climate change challenges as equal partners in global discussions.
Read the rest here…
Meeting Summary: Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for Environment (NWMLE)
This is the summary statement, including recommendations, from the December meeting in Bali (during COP-13) of the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for Environment.
Meeting Summary: Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for Environment (NWMLE) (pdf)
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Final Report: Roundtable on Gender & Climate Change
This final Summary Report of WEDO’s High-Level Roundtable on Gender & Climate Change (21 Sept 2007) includes lists of participants, keynote addresses, policy recommendations and endorsements.
