Women’s Leadership
A decade ago, WEDO launched a Global 50/50 Campaign to boost women’s representation in political decision-making positions. Today, while the absolute increase is small, women’s representation in parliaments, now averaging worldwide at 18.2 percent, is the highest it has ever been. Twenty-two countries spanning all regions have reached the critical mass of 30 percent representation in national parliaments, with Rwanda topping the list with 56.3 percent!
The reality is that across the world, barriers to women’s entry and influence in politics remain. WEDO is working with its partners to increase the number of women in decision-making positions and to support women’s effective leadership once they have been elected. Going beyond the numbers, we focus on both quantitative and qualitative aspects of women leadership.
In 2009, WEDO found a way to combine goals in governance and climate change: with funds from Finland,a leader in championing women as agents of change, WEDO began administering the Women Delegates Fund (WDF), which supports women to be part of their national delegations in the crucial global climate change negotiations at the UNFCCC. Since the start of the three year project in 2009, over 25 women delegates have been funded to attend UNFCCC meetings through the WDF.
The WDF is about much more than simply bringing women to the table. It is about enhancing their knowledge and skills with training in negotiations, media, and communications. Participants are provided with expert presentations and research materials on all the different topics and aspects of climate change negotiations, such as REDD+ and climate finance, as well as information on opportunities for influencing national level implementation. Consistency of participation in these meetings as well as an emphasis on networking and capacity building is essential to bridging the gap in women leadership in the UNFCCC process.
At 34%, 2010 marked the highest representation of women participating in UNFCCC meetings. WEDO looks forward to the continuation of the WDF in 2011 and supporting women’s leadership and participation in all aspects of our work.
For more information on the WDF, email bridget[at]wedo.org!
The Latest Women’s Leadership News
NEW Brochure: “Empower Women, Impact Climate”
If climate change policies are going to be effective, women have to be at the negotiating table. Established in 2009 by WEDO, the Global Gender Climate Alliance (GGCA), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with the support of the Government of Finland, the Women Delegates Fund (WDF) supports the participation and leadership of women at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations.
“Empower Women, Impact Climate” details the stories of four amazing participants in the WDF.
Gender Making Waves in Durban- WEDO at COP17
WEDO at COP17
Tuesday, Dec. 6th 2011
It’s the start of the second week of negotiations here at COP17 in Durban! Over the last few days, WEDO has been facilitating an advocacy team, working with delegates and other organizations to influence the talks and advocate for gender equality and women’s rights.
Gender has been one of the buzzwords here at COP17. With over 30 side events on the topic, it’s clear that major progress has been made in creating awareness on the linkages between gender and climate change. Yesterday for example, the UNFCCC held “Gender Day” at the Digital Lounge…
Delegate Profile: Joe Marie Judie Roy, Haiti
For Haiti, the impacts of climate change are an everyday reality which has resulted in the devastating loss of life, environmental degradation, and political instability. Extreme weather events, tropical storms, and hurricanes have caused severe flooding year after year, affecting the lives of millions.
Like many Haitians, Joe Marie ‘Judie’ Roy knows better than most the challenges faced in a country devastated by natural disaster. The catastrophic 2010 earthquake took the lives of thousands of individuals and uprooted the everyday lives of millions more. The physical and mental shock of such an event shook the small country to its core and, as Judie says, “almost broke my spirit completely.” “We lost so much,” says Judie, “our people, our infrastructure, and some of our strongest advocates.” Judie is referring particularly to leading women’s rights activists who were lost in the earthquake. In the face of such loss, Judie’s conviction to serve her country and its people has emboldened. “Since the earthquake my goals have become more urgent. I am determined to keep working to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on all human beings, especially women.”
Delegate Profile: Meena Khanal, Nepal
Very unique—a woman in the predominantly male Nepalese government—Meena
Khanal of Kathmandu, Nepal always dreamed that she would work for her country, traveling the world and serving those in need of aid. Passionate about protecting the natural environment and helping the people of Nepal, Meena’s career took her from working at the Ministry of Tourism to her position today, the Joint Secretary, of the Ministry of Environment and its Gender Focal Point.
Delegate Profile: Ulamila Wragg, the Cook Islands
The Pacific Islands confront climate change in a way most of us can’t begin to imagine. Sea level rise threatens not only the Pacific Islands’ resources—saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater and fertile soils for food production—but also endangers these countries’ very existence with the loss of several hectares of land each year. As UNFCCC Delegate and Cook Island-native Ulamila Wragg says, “Climate change cuts across every aspect of our society. The impacts are not indirect; they are directly affecting the livelihoods of our people, from education to government spending to our daily living.”
