Register here: The Power of Women’s Leadership in Times of Crisis
Experience tells us that diverse women and girl’s leadership supports effective and inclusive action to emergencies. It is, therefore, essential to tackle the climate crisis. In communities and in policy discussions around the world, women and girls are bringing forward effective initiatives to tackle the climate crisis; particularly women most affected by climate change in the global south. Women also have a right to be equally represented in decision-making spaces at every level.
We will be asking:
- How are women leaders are responding to the current crises?
- What are the frameworks that support equal participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process?
- How can we continue tackling the barriers that remain for women, especially those most affected by climate change and young women, to participate equally?
- How is the UK using its COP Presidency to address gender inequality and climate change, including implementing the Gender Action Plan?
Take part in this much-needed discussion examining these issues of significant global importance.
Speakers
- Faeeza Vaid MBE (Chair), Executive Director, Muslim Women’s Network UK and CAG Steering Group
- Salka Sigurdardottir, International Climate Negotiator, COP Unit, Cabinet Office
- Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Coordinator of the Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad
- Meera Ghani, Policy Coordinator, ECOLISE (European Network for Community-Led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability), and previous delegate to UN climate negotiations
- Bridget Burns, Director, WEDO (Women’s Environment & Development Organisation)
For more information on this topic and to learn about the organisers’ work in this area, please see resources below.
CARE International
CARE responds to the climate crisis by empowering poor and marginalised people, particularly women and girls, to take action on climate change at all levels and to build knowledge for global change. We also call for immediate action to tackle the climate emergency. Through local-to-global-to-local advocacy, we are arguing for a model of development that is socially just, ecologically sustainable, respects human rights and limits planetary warming to 1.5°C.
CARE’s #SheLeadsInCrisis campaign is calling for women and girls most affected by the climate crisis to be able to lead the response. Find out more about why this is crucial for effective climate action here:
- Why Climate Justice is a Gender Justice issue
- Four steps that UK must take to put women’s leadership and gender justice at the heart of their COP26 Presidency
- Women on the frontlines of the climate crisis
Centenary Action Group (CAG)
CAG is a coalition campaigning to remove the barriers to women’s political representation. We fight for an equal and representative democracy where women are directly involved in the decisions that affect their lives without discrimination, prejudice, or fear of violence and harassment. Head to the CAG website for more information on our work and how you can get involved.
Equal Power is a three-year project led by The Fawcett Society in partnership with Centenary Action Group, Muslim Women’s Network, The Parliament Project, Glitch, Citizens UK and 50:50 Parliament to get more women in all of our diversity into politics at every level. Over the three years we’re running an inspiring programme of training for women on how to successfully stand as an MP or local councillor, which includes peer support circles and mentoring opportunities as well as training on community activism and leadership.
Equal Power will also strengthen existing networks for women already in politics. We’ll be inviting women to campaign with us and help to tear down the barriers that keep women out of politics and public life. Sign up here: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/equal-power
ActionAid
ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are changing the world with women and girls. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.
In humanitarian crises, ActionAid works to promote women’s leadership, ensuring women are empowered to make decisions about the needs of their community. We know that women bring vital skills, resources and experience to humanitarian response. And when crises happen, they are often first responders, taking risks and playing critical roles in the survival of families and communities.
Find out how women’s leadership is saving lives:
- Creating Lasting Impact: The Power of Women-led, localised responses to Covid-19
- Leading the way: Women-led localisation in Central Sulawesi: Towards gender transformative action
- Funding a localised, women-led approach to protection from Gender Based Violence
Wen (Women’s Environmental Network)
Wen, together with Women’s Budget Group, have published a Feminist Green New Deal UK briefing and policy paper. We’ll be holding a series of grassroots workshops and roundtables across the UK to build support for a Feminist Green New Deal that puts gender, racial and social equality at the centre. At COP26 we will be holding a Feminist Green New Deal event in partnership with the Women’s Budget Group, WEDO (Women’s Environment & Development Organisation) and CEMVO Scotland. Keep up to date with this and other news by signing up to our newsletter.
To find out more about Wen’s work visit: https://www.wen.org.uk
Plan International
Plan International is a development and humanitarian organisation that advances children's rights and equality for girls. Read more about their work supporting climate change activism here: https://plan-international.org/youth-activism/climate-change-activists
