Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (DUBAI)
In a world grappling with the escalating impacts of climate change, the intersection of gender equality and environmental policy is gaining unprecedented attention.
This was vividly illustrated at COP28, hosted by the UAE, where the focus on gender-related issues marked a significant shift in the global climate discourse.
In a recent interview with Aletihad, Sarah Hendriks, the UN Women Deputy Executive Director for Policy, Programme, Civil Society, and Intergovernmental Support, underscored the critical interconnections between gender inequality and climate change.
"UN Women is here at COP28 because there's growing evidence of the interlinkages between gender inequality and climate change," she stated.
Hendriks emphasised the dire consequences of these linkages, particularly for women, who "tend to have fewer economic resources" and consequently struggle more to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of climate-induced crises.
This scenario often leads to a "real downward spiral in terms of gender equality", making it imperative to bring gender issues to the forefront of climate discussions.
Laura Turquet, Policy Advisor and Deputy Chief of Research and Data at UN Women, echoed these sentiments, pointing out the adverse effects of climate change on women and girls, including an increase in gender-based violence.
“We're seeing a range of different impacts [of climate change] on women and girls,” she told Aletihad, emphasising the increased burden of unpaid care work for women, which escalates in the context of climate change.
This burden significantly affects their availability for paid work, education, or even leisure, Turquet noted.
Turquet lauded the emphasis placed on gender equality by the COP28 Presidency, noting the array of gender-focused events like the Global Gender and Environment Data Conference, and Gender Day.
She expressed optimism about the potential for positive outcomes, particularly highlighting the establishment of a pavilion for the women and gender constituency, a first at such conferences, as a "real focal point for women...to come together".
Turquet praised the UAE for achieving a milestone with women now comprising 50% of the Federal National Council.
She underscored the importance of this achievement, stating: “We absolutely want to see more women represented in all levels of decision-making.”
The link between increased female representation in parliament and stronger environmental policies was also noted, with Turquet pointing out that “the way you have more women in parliament, you actually have stronger environmental policy”
Turquet underscored the increasing necessity of having women at the table in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, particularly as natural resources become scarcer due to climate change.
"Having women at the table to prevent conflict and to build peace is going to be evermore critical. We've seen that women have been at the forefront of environmental action," she emphasised.
The UN Women team is already in place in the UAE, and considering the nation's significant role as a partner for youth and women, further collaborative efforts will continue making strides in fighting for gender-inclusiveness.
This is especially relevant given the UAE's progressive stance on women's representation in governance and its hosting of pivotal events like COP28.
“I know that the UAE is a very important partner for youth and women. And so I think, from here, that we will just continue to build on the work that we've seen with the UAE,” Turquet said.
The UAE has been a strong supporter of the mission of UN Women since its inception in 2010, according to the organisation’s website.
In October 2016, the UN Women Liaison Office for GCC was inaugurated through an MoU between the General Women’s Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and UN Women under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.
The collaboration between the UAE and UN Women, particularly in the context of COP28, has been pivotal in advancing gender-responsive climate action.
At COP28, a significant initiative was the launch of the COP28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions & Climate Action Partnership.
Endorsed by over 60 parties, this partnership includes a comprehensive package of commitments that signatories will implement over the next three years, with a review set for COP31.
As nations like the UAE take significant steps in this direction, the hope is that global policymaking will increasingly reflect this paradigm shift, leading to more equitable and sustainable solutions for our planet's future.
