WEDO at the 13th AWID International Forum

Thursday, 8 September, 2:30 to 6:00pm 

Organized by: Women’s Environment and Development Organisation (WEDO) and AWID in partnership with Grassroots Global Justice Alliance (GGJA) and World March of Women (WMW).

It is more clear than ever that reverting a catastrophic climate crisis requires deep systemic change, as well as strong climate and environmental justice work that places the sustainability of life, and economic and social justice at the core. This session brought together and foster engagement between women’s rights and climate justice activists in recognition of the gendered impacts of the environmental and climate crisis, its intersections with socio-political and economic upheaval, violence and militarization, and the need to search for common feminists alternatives to the current system.

CRITICAL READING: In preparation for the Forum, WEDO, AWID, and IDS hosted an eDiscussion on Umbrella Issue Climate and environmental justice from April 5th to 7th 2016. The summary paper can be downloaded here. The aim of this e-discussion was to contribute to increased awareness and exchange on relevant issues and strategies, and eventually a stronger engagement between feminists and women’s human rights activists and climate justice activists – small-scale farmers, grassroots, Indigenous, Black and islander’s communities, among others. Participant reflections on current climate and environmental realities pointed to the deep connections between climate chaos, environmental degradation, gender inequality and patriarchy, stemming from a broader political and economic systemic crisis.

Friday, 9 September, 4:30-6:00pm,

Organized by: Women’s Major Group

The session was organized to link AWID to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in the spirit of creating conversation and exchanging ideas on how we can link across movements to create accountability mechanisms to follow countries’ commitment in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals!

Friday, 9 September, 4:30-6:00pm,

Organized by: WEDO, Samdhana Institute, Both Ends, Wallace Global Fund, Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA), the Fondo Centroamericano de Mujeres (FCAM), Mama Cash

WEDO co-led conversations about how the Green Climate Fund would reach communities in the frontline of a changing climate, as well as women’s voice and leadership play a significant part in the Green Climate Fund’s decision making process so that this money will be most effectively spent.