Female changemakers leading the charge on climate change
As an increasing number of communities around the world feel the impact of climate change, it is important to recognise that climate-induced crises have a disproportionate impact on the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
The UN has said that climate change may push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty by 2050, and cause 232 million to face food insecurity.
Ireland's Ambassador to Denmark on Women and Climate Change
On the occasion of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy 2024, the Embassy of Ireland to Denmark, in partnership with the Embassies of Mexico and South Africa, hosted an event which focused on the role of women in climate diplomacy.
The International Day of Women in Diplomacy is an opportunity to reaffirm the participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels decision-making, is essential for the achievement of sustainable development, peace and democracy.
The event attracted speakers and activists from the public sector, international organisations and NGO world, including Lotte Machon, Danish Secretary of State for Global Development Policy; Caroline Rusten, Chief of Public Partnerships and Head of the Nordic Office for UN Women; and Nadia Gullestrup Christensen, former Chair of the Danish Youth Climate Council and co-founder of Gaia, a network of young climate activists.
Gender-differentiated impacts of climate change
A lively discussion covered a range of issues including the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change, the role of women as agents of change, and the opportunities for women in the context of climate change. This was expertly moderated by Lisbeth Pilegaard, Chair of the Executive Committee of the European Endowment for Democracy.
Despite commitments towards better gender balance, women’s participation in climate negotiations continues to fall short with women comprising only 35% of participants at COP27, and only 20% of Heads of Department. Studies have shown that negotiations have better outcomes for all when female leaders at the table.
Challenges facing women's participation in climate discussion
The event created a space where attendees could exchange views on whether the challenges facing women’s participation in climate discussions are different from those in other international arenas, and how best to secure the equal and meaningful participation of women in future multilateral negotiations, including by examining structures at domestic level.
Looking for solutions, Ireland's Ambassador to Denmark, Elizabeth McCullough, spoke about Ireland's ongoing work to promote gender equality and advance climate action, bilaterally and multilaterally, including during its term on the UN Security Council. Ireland’s development strategy, ‘A Better World’ has gender equality and climate action at its core.
Ireland works with partners to empower communities at the forefront of climate change, including grassroots and women-led organisations, which help to strengthen women’s contribution to climate discussions, while also supporting climate adaptation from the ground up.