PARIS, France (Dec. 7, 2015) – Women advocates gathered to tell world leaders that they are not only more vulnerable to climate change, but that they are the key to developing sustainable solutions.

The Women & Gender Constituency hosted the first ever Indigenous Day during the Women and Gender Caucus at the UNFCCC daily gathering at COP21. We were joined by Phumzile Mlambo, Executive Director of UN Women, to open the meeting. 

“If each one of us works alone, our voices are not loud, but together our voices are louder.” – Phumzile Mlambo

Panelists:

• Alina Saba – Thailand, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law & Development
• Chief Caleen Sisk – North America, California
• Tarcila Rivera Zea – South America, Peru
• Edna Kaptoyo – Africa, Kenya
• Maatalii Okalik – North America, Canada

Around 200 million migrants worldwide are fleeing their homes due to the effects of climate change. Many of them are indigenous women and girls. But indigenous women refuse to remain mere victims of climate change, emphasizing that they, too, are taking part in the battle. ‘Listen to the solutions indigenous women have always been advocating for,’ advised Mlambo-Ngcuka. ‘Women’s agency in climate action is key in healing our planet.’