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Women demand rights and ambition at Rio+20 Negotiations
On May 5th, 2012, WEDO’s Eleanor Blomstrom delivered closing remarks on behalf of the Women’s Major Group at the Rio+20 negotiation. Watch Eleanor deliver the intervention below and read the statement in full.
Thank you chair. Distinguished delegates and colleagues,
I am Eleanor Blomstrom, of the Women’s Environment and Development Organization, speaking on behalf of the Women’s Major Group.
We entered these negotiations urging ambition. Unfortunately, we leave urging the same.
Rio+20 must take a rights based approach to poverty eradication and sustainable development, and can only succeed by integrating gender equality and women’s human rights in each of the three dimensions. We remain concerned about the bracketing and deleting of our rights. The Rio Principles must be reaffirmed alongside the full range of human rights, including sexual and reproductive rights. Further we would like to see more emphasis on sustainable (production and) consumption patterns and a stronger commitment to address issues of climate change that have caused havoc for many countries and communities.
Importantly, the outcome must go beyond general statements on gender equality – to strong commitments to action. Let me share three specific examples:
1. Women’s rights to land tenure, water, food, energy, education, movement and productive resources must be assured.
2. Leadership targets for women can be met via positive actions such as quotas. Paragraph CST 102 bis includes a 40% target, with the aim of parity.
3. The MDGs, limited as they are have yet to be reached, especially for gender equality, for women’s health and education. Therefore any discussions toward the SDGs should not gloss over the importance of a broad discussion on the post-2015 development agenda, which must maintain a laser focus on gender equality within all 3 dimensions of sustainable development.
Finally, the IFSD must fall within the United Nations and must ensure the meaningful participation of Major Groups and civil society stakeholders. We urge you to exhibit the political will necessary to move forward toward a bold outcome that will make a difference in women’s lives.
Thank you.
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International Women’s Week on Link TV
Beginning on March 1, Link TV will be airing an entire week of special programming devoted to showcasing diverse stories from women around the globe. You’ll see issues and perspectives uncovered and unseen on any other media outlets. Watch as Iranian women activists risk their safety to confront political candidates, as Western women trade their comfortable lives for experiences as Tribal Wives, and as Senegalese rapper Sister Fa joins audiences live on March 4 following the broadcast of her film, Sarabah. And definitely don’t miss the new hit series, Borgen, the only drama series currently on American airwaves that showcases a female head of state.
What to watch?
Women and the Changing Environment
The Earth’s population has reached 7 billion and is growing. More and more people means greater pressure on an already changing environment and it is women who often suffer the most. Earth Focus and Population Action International look at the links between population growth, climate change, and the lives of women in Peru, Nepal, and Ethiopia.
To find more information on these programs and ways to get involved in Link’s efforts to lift women globally, please visit www.linktv.org/women
After watching Link, learn more about WEDO’s work on gender and climate change by signing up for our Newsletter.
Video: WEDO Leaders & Partners Speak at COP17
WEDO Board Chair Monique Essed Fernandes speaks about WEDO and our work on gender and climate change:
Monique Essed Fernades from Responding to Climate Change on Vimeo.
Aira Kelala, Special Representative of Finland, speaks about women’s leadership and participation in climate change decision-making:
Aiva Kalela from Responding to Climate Change on Vimeo.
Lorena Aguilar, Senior Global Gender Advisor at IUCN and WEDO Board Member, speaks about implementation for gender and climate change at the national level:
Lorena Aquiler from Responding to Climate Change on Vimeo.
Soon Young Yoon, UN Representative and International Alliance of Women and WEDO Board Member at COP17, speaks about gender, climate change, and human rights:
Soon Young Yoon: Gender, climate change and human rights from Responding to Climate Change on Vimeo.
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Women and Gender Constituency on Gender, Adaptation, and REDD+
Bonn, Germany, June 17th 2011– Today, WEDO’s Rachel Harris delivered an intervention on behalf of the Women and Gender Constituency at the UNFCCC.
“Despite clear evidence of the gender differentiated impacts of climate change, especially in developing countries, vulnerability assessments and adaptation studies do not reflect such differentiation and thus limit the efficiency of such analyses for appropriate gender sensitive adaptation measures. The review of the guidelines could provide several opportunities for countries to do so. Therefore, in vulnerability assessments and adaptation studies Parties should include gender analyses and gender-related information, as relevant.”
Click here to download the full intervention or watch below:
Another intervention was also delivered at the closing of the SBSTA plenary, this by Ulrike Roehr of LIFE e.V. speaking on REDD and ensuring gender considerations in safeguards. Click here to download the intervention or click here to watch (starting at 01:33:29)
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