Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has highlighted the importance of ensuring gender equality through the global efforts undertaken to tackle climate change. He made the remarks while delivering his message at the Generation Equality Forum’s thematic panel on Feminist Action for Climate Justice, organised by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France.
In his statement delivered via video, Minister Shahid highlighted the impacts of climate change on the lives of women and girls all over the world, which is now exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also emphasized the importance of listening to the experience of women and girls to amplify their stories of decision-making power imbalances and to enhance their abilities through evidence-based planning, in order to lead a just transition to an inclusive, circular, regenerative and green economy.
Furthermore, during the panel discussion, Minister Shahid welcomed the Feminist Action for Climate Justice (FACJ) Action Blueprint, which identifies the root causes of both climate crises and its inseparable gender inequalities, along with the public, private and social incentives that reinforce inequalities. The Action Blueprint sets a path forward to tackle the defining issue of the 21st century by addressing persistent, systemic inequities. The minister noted that the FACJ is an opportunity to harness the momentum of climate action to create more gender- and climate-equitable economic and political systems, especially as the world looks to build back better and more resilient in response to COVID-19.
The Generation Equality Forum is a multi-stakeholder global gathering that celebrates the power of women’s rights activism, feminist solidarity and youth leadership to accelerate the implementation of ambitious global commitments for gender equality in the UN Decade of Action. The Maldives is a co-lead of the Feminist Action for Climate Justice Coalition of the Generation Equality Forum. The Forum was convened by UN Women and is co-hosted by the Governments of France and Mexico. The Forum virtually kicked off in Mexico City on March 29 and will culminate in Paris in June later this year.