Along with the first, second, and third place winners of the award, cash prizes worth €3,500 (Dh13,543), €2,500 (Dh9,673), and €2,000 (Dh7,739) were also given.
An award ceremony honoring three Pakistani women for their work in the field of gender equality and field of climate change was held on March 8 at the French Embassy. The Gender & Climate Award will be presented annually and was jointly established by the French embassy, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in July of last year.
The organisers hoped that it would continue to highlight the best practises by women in field of climate change and gender equality as well. Along with the first, second, and third place winners of the award, cash prizes worth €3,500 (Dh13,543), €2,500 (Dh9,673), and €2,000 (Dh7,739) were also given.
The event’s chief guest, the minister for climate change, congratulated the award recipients for setting excellent examples in agriculture, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. “Your experiences are truly an inspiration to other women, and we can all learn a lot from you,” she said.
Every year, she claimed, Pakistan bears the brunt of the effects of climate change. In particular, she cited the floods of last year, which rendered hundreds of thousands of people homeless in Sindh and resulted in enormous losses to crops and livestock.
As a result of climate change, she said, we are also about to experience a heat wave, which is another impending disaster. At the French Embassy on Wednesday, Humera Iqbal, the first-place winner, was presented with the gender and climate award by the Federal Minister for Climate Change.
Meeting women who have accomplished excellent work in this particular sector is, in this case, an honour for me, the minister declared.
Later, the minister thanked Ambassador Nicolas Galey in a tweet and referred to the occasion as a chance for women to lead innovation in positions of community leadership.
“I appreciate Amb Nicholas Galey’s collaboration with FranceinPak and the IUCN on today’s climate and gender awards. These women serve as role models for women by overcoming challenges and driving innovation in positions of community leadership. When it comes to securing vulnerabilities at scale, ClimateChangePK needs allies.
The award, according to ambassador Nicolas Galey, brought attention to positive actions and practical solutions for a more just, equal, and healthy planet, led by women from civil society. It complies with the goal of the Paris Agreement to advance gender equality, justice, and youth involvement in climate action. It aims to encourage more female participation and leadership in climate action.
Humera Iqbal, the first prize winner, took an initiative to support rural women by engaging them in livestock and agriculture in Pakistan. She expressed gratitude to Ambassador Nicolas Galey, Philippe Steinmetz of AFD, Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of the IUCN, and Minister Rehman for their support. She believes that supporting rural women is a key to fighting the adverse effects of climate change.
Irum Fatima was awarded the second prize for her efforts in promoting environmental sustainability. She believed in empowering women to play a key role in ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Mehreen Raza, of a non-profit, non-government organisation, was awarded the third prize for her work to protect women’s health and climate change. She said She-Guard is a shield to ensure women’s and the earth’s health.
The recipients were chosen after a rigorous evaluation process, according to the jury members, in which 23 applications were received, 10 were shortlisted, and 3 winners were chosen.