Addressing the gender gap in climate policies

Former UN high commissioner for human rights Mary Robinson summed it up succinctly when she said, "Climate change is a manmade problem that requires a feminist solution.

- Lalita Panicker

Women, already suffering from existing inequalities, are most affected by the climate crisis, with direct impacts on their livelihood, health and safety. COP30, at Belem, adopted a new Gender Action Plan (GAP), including a focus on care work, women's health, and violence against women. Mirai Chatterjee, chairperson, SEWA Cooperative Federation, says, "We welcome the expanded scope of the Belem GAP, and its emphasis on women's involvement at all levels of climate-related discussion and action, especially informal women workers. The integration with decent work, care work and social protection like health, is also an important feature. Now we look forward to its implementation with adequate resources and monitoring." GAP was first adopted in 2017 and the final document submitted at Belem will form the framework for climate action which will, if implemented correctly, ensure that gender equality remains at the heart of the UN climate process.