IUCN reiterates that addressing climate change, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction for all depends on the leadership of women and girls.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization that works to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. The IUCN has launched a Climate Change Gender Action Plan in Pakistan to recognize the important role of women and girls as change agents for sustainable development, particularly in relation to safeguarding the environment and addressing the impacts of climate change.
The plan is likely focused on identifying and addressing the specific challenges and needs of women and girls in relation to climate change, and on supporting their participation in efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Such initiatives can help ensure that the voices and perspectives of women and girls are included in decision-making processes related to climate change and sustainable development.
IUCN, a pioneer and leader in addressing climate change and gender, reiterates that addressing climate change, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction for all depends on the leadership of women and girls.
Today, IUCN in collaboration with Fatima Jinnah Women University and CESTaC launched Climate Change Gender Action Plan in Fatima Jinnah Women University where agreed conclusions adopted by women universities from all over Pakistan vowed to create a blueprint for national leaders and global stakeholders to promote women’s and girls’ full and equal participation and leadership in the designing and implementation of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies and programmes moving forward.
IUCN has partnered with the Fatima Jinnah Women University and the Centre for Environmental Science and Technology for Capacity Building (CESTaC) to launch a Climate Change Gender Action Plan in Fatima Jinnah Women University.
The plan is likely focused on promoting the full and equal participation and leadership of women and girls in the design and implementation of climate change, environmental, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies and programs.
This is an important initiative, as it recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women and girls in relation to climate change and seeks to ensure that their voices and perspectives are included in decision-making processes related to these issues.
Dr. Saleem Janjua, Chairperson, Center for Environmentally Sustainable Transport and Climate Change (CESTaC), Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi, delivered the welcome remarks and praised the participation of worthy vice chancellors in this event.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahmood Akhter Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan, opened the discussion by saying that the agreements reached by the Ministry of Climate Change on Nationally Determined Contributions come at a time when the world desperately needs new and coherent solutions to the interconnected crises that affect us all.
“We now have a pathway with practical, specific measures for global resilience and recovery, and a shared understanding that solutions depend on bringing women and girls to the centre. Let us capitalise on the work done here by putting these agreements into immediate effect and moving these decisions forward through all of the major forums ahead”.
Mr. Hassan Nasir Jamy, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Government of Pakistan, presided over the event and shared his thoughts on the role of the MoWR in combating climate change. He emphasised the importance of using the triple helix model to find climate solutions in Pakistan.
On this occasion, he emphasised IUCN Pakistan’s specialised role in incorporating gender considerations into National Water Policy. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, addressed the audience about the challenges that girls and women face in Pakistan and praised the IUCN’s role in assisting the government and people of Pakistan.
University students performed a short play with the message of addressing human-wildlife conflict, land life, and climate change.
Ms. Fauzia Malik, Programme Coordinator at IUCN Pakistan, gave a detailed presentation of the ccGAP, including an overview of its process and key highlights from the six priority sectors of this action plan.
Dr. Saima Hamid, Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Women University praised the role of IUCN Pakistan for development of ccGAP and also shared the plan of celebrating International Women’s Day 2023 which will be jointly celebrated by the six women universities of Pakistan.
The Panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Fauzia Malik and included following panelists (i) Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza, Vice Chancellor, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Lahore, Punjab (ii) Dr. Safia Ahmed, Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women (iii) University (SBBWU), Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (iv) Prof. Dr. Shahzad Nasim, Vice Chancellor, Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University, Sukkur, Sindh (v) Dr. Sajida Naureen, Vice Chancellor, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University (SBKWU), Quetta, Balochistan.
The major comments made during the discussion focused on the disproportionate impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters on all women and girls, which can include loss of homes and livelihoods, scarcity of water, destruction and damage to schools and health facilities, and the urgency of eliminating persistent historical and structural inequalities, discriminatory laws and policies, negative social norms, and gender stereotypes that perpetuate multidimensional poverty.
Women and girls face unique challenges as a result of displacement, including forced and prolonged displacement, such as separation from support networks, increased risk of all forms of violence, and limited access to employment, education, and essential health-care services, including sexual and reproductive health-care services and psychosocial support.
The documented outcome of the event calls for leveraging and strengthening women’s and girls’ full, equal, and meaningful participation and influence. A consensus was reached that specific efforts must be made to amplify the voices and knowledge of marginalised women, including indigenous women, older women, women with disabilities, migrant women, and those living in rural, remote, conflict, and disaster-prone areas.
Their inputs must be heard and included in the management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives and programmes.
The concluding remarks were delivered by Dr. Uzaira Rafique, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology/ Chair (Technical) CESTac, FJWU. The chief guest, guest of honor and worthy vice chancellors were presented with the climate change gender action plan publications and honorary shields to mark their contribution.