[Asia Pacific Climate Week 2023 Panel] Securing women’s land rights: A cornerstone of climate change solutions
A side event at the Asia-Pacific Climate Week including participants from the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines, Klima Action Malaysia, the Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Research and Development and UN Human Rights.
15 November 2023
November 15, 2023, marked a significant milestone in our journey towards climate justice. We had the honor of collaborating with OHCHR Asia, UN Women, UNEP, and other esteemed regional partners at the Asia Pacific Climate Week (APCW). This event brought together a diverse group of thinkers and activists, challenging the traditional paradigms that have long governed land rights and environmental policies. With a focus on the urgent need for a just transition and achieving net zero targets, the discussions delved deep into the complexities of these issues, offering fresh perspectives and critical insights.
The Critical Role of Women in Climate Change Solutions
One of the key themes that emerged from the event was the pivotal role of women in the fight against climate change. Despite being traditional custodians of the land, women often face barriers in accessing resources, protection, and leadership roles. This limitation not only hinders their capacity to adapt to climate change impacts but also diminishes the overall effectiveness of environmental policies and practices. Our discussions underscored the necessity of strengthening women’s land rights as a cornerstone of effective climate change solutions.
Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar: A Champion for Women in Climate Action
Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, Chair and Programme Director at Klima Action Malaysia, played a crucial role in these discussions. She highlighted the essential contribution of women in sustainable land management and the urgent need to address the security risks they face in negotiations and decision-making spaces. Her insights shed light on the need for environmental and social safeguards that respect human rights, particularly those of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and environmental human rights defenders.
Her advocacy goes beyond mere recognition of the challenges; it calls for actionable steps to empower women, ensuring they are not just participants but leaders in climate action. This approach resonates deeply with our audience of climate justice advocates, human rights activists, and feminists, who understand the intersectionality of these issues.
Embracing Indigenous Knowledge and Practices
Another profound insight came from Pasang Dolma Sherpa, Executive Director at the Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Research and Development (CIPRED). She emphasized the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and skills in climate change resilience, sustainable management of natural resources, forests, ecosystems, and biodiversity. This perspective is critical in rethinking our approach to environmental stewardship and highlights the need to integrate Indigenous wisdom into mainstream climate policies.
Joe Mari S. Francisco: Elevating Gender Perspectives in Climate Discourse
Joe Mari S. Francisco, as the Alternate Gender Focal of the Philippines to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, brought a vital dimension to the discourse. His insights on how gender dynamics intersect with climate impacts were eye-opening. Emphasizing the necessity for gender-responsive climate policies, Francisco’s contributions were crucial in advocating for a climate action framework that is inclusive and recognizes the varying impacts of climate change on different genders.
Looking Forward: The Path to Just Transition and Net Zero Targets
The event closed with insightful remarks from Parimita Mohanty of the UN Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. This convergence of ideas at the APCW marks a significant step towards a more inclusive and effective approach to climate justice. The discussions and insights provided by speakers like Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, Pasang Dolma Sherpa, and Joe Mari S. Francisco offer a roadmap for a more equitable and sustainable future.
In conclusion, the APCW was not just a meeting of minds but a clarion call for action. It reminds us that the path to achieving net zero targets and a just transition is complex and multifaceted. It requires the collaboration of diverse stakeholders, the integration of traditional and modern knowledge, and, most importantly, the empowerment of those who have been marginalized in environmental discourse. As we move forward, let us carry these insights and commitments into our continued fight for climate justice.
Read the report of the event from UN Women here.
