NO CLIMATE JUSTICE WITHOUT GENDER JUSTICE

By: Ireen Twongirwe

Noting:

• Given the barriers and existing inequalities that women face in access to resources, credit, technology, jobs , economic opportunities, there is need for dedicating resources and flows of funding to enable them better contribute to the climate agenda that is urgently needed. In addition, Gender Responsive Climate Financing (GRCF) should gaining wider recognition in light of the manifested benefits of gender equality and women’s empowerment to sound climate action and outcomes.
• This will enable women to efficiently and effectively contribute to the implementation of climate related action plans. Additionally, investing in women-led climate related projects through women’s financial inclusion, promoting their access to finance and credit facilities are among the key factors which will enable women to better participate in climate action.

It’s now two weeks since COP27 kicked off in Egypt sharm el Sheikh under the theme “Together for Implementation” It’s important to note that over 35,000 people are attending the Conference of parties.  The main objective of this conference is to bring together developed, developing countries, private and public sectors, activists, civil society Organizations, community based organizations and feminists among others to discuss strategies, plans, measures and policies on how to achieve the promises and pledges under the Paris Agreement during COP26 in Glasgow. The Paris agreement demanded a collective effort to restrict global warming by 2 degrees Celsius, and ideally by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, something that would require a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

This year, COP27 continues to focus particularly on strengthening adaptation and resilience, mitigating emissions, facilitating a just transition, and increasing funding and collaboration for essential climate solutions. It also hopes to highlight both Africa’s need for immediate climate action and its role in facilitating and mobilizing action at scale. More so, it provides critical opportunity for business and government leaders to double down on their climate goals, forge new collaborations, and achieve innovative solutions together.

Amidst all the above deliverables from COP27, there is need to involve more of Gender in the implementation.  It’s very important to note that there is no climate justice without gender justice. The role of women in dealing with all aspects of the climate change challenge is central, crucial and indispensable. Women continue to bear a disproportionate burden from the adverse impacts of climate change, and despite some progress having been made over recent years, the gender perspective needs further work to be fully integrated into the processes of formulating and implementing policies and actions on the ground.

Given the barriers and existing inequalities that women face in access to resources, credit, technology, jobs , economic opportunities, there is need for dedicating resources and flows of funding to enable them better contribute to the climate agenda that is  urgently needed. In addition, Gender Responsive Climate Financing (GRCF) should gaining wider recognition in light of the manifested benefits of gender equality and women’s empowerment to sound climate action and outcomes.

This will enable women to efficiently and effectively contribute to the implementation of climate related action plans. Additionally,   investing in women-led climate related projects through women’s financial inclusion, promoting their access to finance and credit facilities are among the key factors which will enable women to better participate in climate action.

Today at COP27 in Egypt, there are celebrating Gender Day that aims to bring this issue to the forefront and to provide a platform to discuss existing challenges and to share success stories from around the world with a view to increasing awareness and sharing experiences and promoting gender sensitive and responsive policies, strategies and actions. And this   will shed light on the woman’s role in adapting to climate change.

Therefore, Gender Responsive Climate Finance (GRCF) should be accessible   even to the vulnerable women t grass roots who are directly faced by the Loss and Damage due to climate crisis. And the people responsible should be able to put in place accountability and transparency measures to truck the climate finance funds.

There is no climate Justice without Gender Justice.

There is no Climate justice without Climate finance.

For God and my country,

Ireen Twongirwe

Executive director,

Women for Green Economy Movement Uganda.