At COP29 in Baku, concerns are mounting over the erasure of gender considerations from climate negotiations, with significant language related to women stripped from key proposals. Influenced by countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia, the push against gender language signals a troubling regression in climate discussions, as stakeholders express alarm over the implications for women’s roles and rights in climate policy. Activists seek to restore focus on gender amidst fears of stagnation in progress.
Concerns are emerging regarding setbacks in the inclusion of gender considerations in global climate negotiations, particularly at the recent COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Historically, previous climate conferences have recognized the necessity of engaging women, who disproportionately experience the impacts of climate change. However, at COP29, critical references to gender and diversity were removed from key proposals, prompting alarm among advocates and former leaders such as Mary Robinson. Saudi Arabia and Russia have been prominent in opposing gender-inclusive language, and this trend is perceived as a significant regression amidst a broader backlash against gender advocacy in various regions including the United States and parts of Europe. Despite these challenges, a singular reference to gender remains in discussions, emphasizing the need for climate finance to be aligned with human rights standards. Furthermore, a decade-long initiative aimed at integrating gender into UN climate policy is under consideration. Activists express concern over the diminishing emphasis on gender-related issues, highlighting that significant progress made at COP28 appears threatened. They assert that the growing prominence of male policymakers contributes to the neglect of women’s perspectives in these critical discussions.
The nexus between climate change and gender issues has been acknowledged within international frameworks, recognizing that women bear unique challenges as a result of environmental degradation. Statistical evidence from the United Nations indicates that 80 percent of individuals displaced by climate-related events are women and girls, exacerbating vulnerabilities to exploitation and violence. Previous summits have aimed to establish frameworks that incorporate gender into climate policy, yet the current negotiations at COP29 demonstrate a troubling reversal, with key language and commitments facing opposition from specific member states. The prioritization of financial commitments over gender considerations reflects a disturbing trend within global climate policy discussions.
The developments at COP29 underscore a critical setback in the recognition of gender issues within the context of climate negotiations, with the removal of gender language from proposals representing a disconcerting shift. The opposition led by certain nations has emboldened those who resist advancements in gender equality, jeopardizing the hard-fought gains made over the previous decade. It is imperative for negotiators to reaffirm their commitment to gender inclusivity to ensure that climate policies address the needs of all affected populations and leverage the contributions of women in combating climate change.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
