As part of GCE and the SDG Working Group’s latest campaign #interlinked, we brought to you Women: Critical Agents of Change in Climate Action. This panel sought to bring together experts and leaders from different backgrounds for a discussion on one central theme, the #interlinkages between SDG13: Climate Action and SDG5: Gender Equality.
Despite women’s inclusion at key decision-making levels, there are still many barriers preventing them from full participation in climate action. Indeed, women are underrepresented, only accounting for ⅕ of all government ministers in the energy, environment and transport sectors in the EU in 2019 (Jakub Caisl). It is not unexpected as gender stereotypes still exist in our society regarding female leadership and employment. In fact, even women internalise these stereotypes which can be linked to a ‘female fear of success’.
We must also link it to intersectionality because the aspects of race, class and sexuality overlap with gender and create multiple levels of social injustice. It’s not about tokenism as Renata Koch Alvarenga said: ‘It’s not just about the presence of women that will guarantee that their experiences and leadership will be integrated into climate policies.’
Rather, it is about empowering women across all levels of governance, through direct appointment, but also systemic changes, education, access to finance, access to information and fundamentally respect.
There are numerous examples where women are perfectly placed to be critical agents of change in climate action. Launched in 2009, G(irls)20 puts women in the spotlight of decision-making processes by providing training on writing, advocacy skills and building networks between the private and public sectors, empowering women to be agents of change. Ela Stopford Sackville drew attention to the inspiring female entrepreneurs running socio-environmental enterprises paying back into their communities and creating a virtuous circle of change and empowerment. She highlighted that ‘we have to use the crisis we are in to make sure women can be the centre of the transition to a green economy.’
It is undeniable that ‘including women {in climate decisions} is beneficial for absolutely everyone’ (Alexia Fafara). It would help us shape our future thoughtfully and also must remain central to our fight.