As we look at this year’s theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resistance,” we pay tribute to the visionary women who have made history by protecting their environment and their communities. We remember brave leaders like Kenyan Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, who died in 2021, and Honduran Berta Cáceres, senselessly murdered in 2016 while she was leading efforts to protect her land.
As the world approaches irreversible tipping points, women’s leadership is needed more than ever.
Building on a legacy of mobilization and action, women and girls around the world continue to face climate and environmental challenges every day. Nohora Alejandra Quiguantar, an indigenous environmental defender in Colombia, is one of the pillars of the Coalition for Feminist Action for Climate Justice, of the Generation Equality forum, convened by UN Women. She works with women across Colombia to use solutions to land degradation and promote biodiversity. Many other women, like Nohora, are working in their communities to make a real difference for our planet. You have to invest in her work.
Women’s representation in parliaments is associated with stronger climate change policies, but globally women hold only 27% of parliamentary seats and only 15% of environment ministers. Women’s participation in local natural resource management leads to better conservation outcomes, but their participation in local governments is 36%.
However, this commitment carries serious dangers. In 81 environmental conflicts around the world, female environmental defenders have been murdered. We cannot allow this to continue. We must protect the women and girls who mobilize, create solidarity and act to protect their communities and our planet.
In the lead up to this year’s Future Summit and Conferences of the Parties on climate, biodiversity and desertification, and following the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), this World Environment Day It has special resonance. We must heed the urgent call for more investment in women’s organizations. We must take collective action to enable women’s full, equal and safe participation and leadership in environmental and climate decision-making.
Our common future depends on all of us, together.
