He describe the climate and environmental crisesalong with the ongoing social and economic downturn of COVID-19 pandemic, as “the defining issues of our time”, reminding that “our common response will chart our course for decades to come”.
Noting that “the unprecedented emergencies of the climate crisis, pollution, desertification and biodiversity loss, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of new and emerging conflicts unfold, have accelerated and intensified into widespread and interconnected crises that affect us all.” he told Committee at the combined opening day event that damage will not be counted equally.
“Everywhere, women and girls face the greatest threats and the deepest harm“.
And while they are taking action to confront climate and environmental crises, they continue to be left out of decision-making rooms.
“Mixed Crisis”
Women and girls living in small island states, least developed countries and places affected by conflict, are mostly affected, the UN chief said.
Their nutrition and livelihoods are marginally affected by extreme weather, and they are hit hardest when local natural resources are threatened.
And with climate shocks increasing, evidence points to a link between child marriage and exploitation.
“As climate disasters occur with increasing frequency, research shows women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men,” he continued.
‘The Millennium of Patriarchy’
Mr. Guterres expressed deep alarm at the increase in violence and threats against women human rights defenders and environmental activists.
“Gender discrimination means that only a very small percentage of landowners and leaders are women,” he explains, noting that their needs and interests “are often overlooked and ignored,” he explains. aside” in policies and decisions on land use, pollution, conservation and climate action.
He informed the participants that only one-third of the decision-making role under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement occupied by women; while they make up only 15% of the environment ministers.
Furthermore, only a third of the 192 national energy frameworks include gender considerations, and they are rarely considered in climate finance.
“This proves once again that we live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture,” the UN chief stressed.a millennium of patriarchy that excludes women and prevents their voices from being heard. ”
“We could not have achieved any of our goals without the contributions of all… including men and boys… working for women’s rights and gender equality.”
Future society
The Paris Agreement Addressing biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution – can create dignified lives for all on a healthy planet.
Women and girl leaders, farmers, policy makers, economists, lawyers and climate activists are essential to building sustainable economies and societies. sustainable society of tomorrow.
© UN Women / Mohammad Rakibul Hasa
A woman works in a plastic recycling plant in Bangladesh.
“But we will not get there without the full and equal participation and leadership of women,” he stressed.
Facing the ‘impossible choice’
Over the past two years, he said, gender inequality and injustice have been highlighted and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Millions of women have been laid off from their jobs and faced with an “impossible choice” between earning income or working in unpaid but necessary care as millions of girls have graduated from school “with may never return.”
“Addressing these issues requires a united front, defending hard-won gains in women’s rights while investing in lifelong learning, health care, decent work and protecting society. associations for women and girls”, emphasized the head of the United Nations.
“Gender equality and women’s rights must be at the heart of a new social contract relevant to today’s societies and economies.. ”
Power rebalancing
At the global level, the Secretary-General cited Our Common Agenda Report proposes rebalancing of power through New global transaction and a peace agenda that aims to reduce all violence – including gender-based violence – and put women and girls at the heart of security policy.
He also reminded that the UN is working to support women’s participation and leadership at all stages of peace building and maintenance, including through its special envoys and representatives, who are design and support strategies for more inclusive peace processes.
Mr. Guterres added that gender advisers on the UN’s Special Political Tasks promote women’s participation and ensure that their priorities are “indispensable” to all stakeholders. political effort, describing women’s equal leadership as “not just a matter of justice…[but] vital to creating peaceful, resilient communities and societies”.
“We cannot separate the perilous peace in our world from the age-old structures of patriarchy and exclusion.“, he said, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “another clear demonstration of this everywhere”.
CSW ‘essential’
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) The Chairman, Collen Vixen Kelapile, reminded that as a subsidiary body, CSW continues to monitor and monitor the implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and development goals, especially SDG 5 on Gender Equality.
“In this connection, the work of the Commission will remain at the heart of the ECOSOC system to guide gender-sensitive and focused recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said, reminding that High-level political forum in July will check progress towards SDG 5, along with other global goals.
CSW’s work remains “essential” in strengthening the global framework for gender equality, women’s empowerment and advising policymakers on “how to advance these important goals in an integrated and cross-cutting way”.
Implement the ‘gold standard’
General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid pointed out that In the 76 years of the UN, only 4 women have been elected Speaker of the National Assembly and no woman has been chosen as Secretary-General..
“This needs to be fixed,” he insisted. “The United Nations cannot call for worldwide gold standards to be implemented as far as gender equality and women’s empowerment is concerned, but not at home.”
Mr. Shahid said he would “personally” take the lead in calling for the next Secretary-General to be a woman
“Join me on this clarion call,” he invites participants.
Pray for peace
CEO of UN WomenSima Bahous, opened her address by drawing attention to “all crises and conflicts”, reminding them that they “accurately assess their highest price to women and girls” – from Myanmar to Afghanistan, Sahel to Haiti, and Syria to Somalia to Yemen and Ethiopia, with the “terrible war in Ukraine,” the latest addition.
Referring to the Secretary-General, she said, “the invasion of Ukraine must end, the war must end, peace must prevail.”
“We witness the daily damage to the lives, hopes and futures of Ukrainian women and girls,” continued Ms. Bahous, reiterating her solidarity with women. Ukraine while paying homage to “their courage and tenacity”.
“And I pray that they – and all those who are experiencing conflict – will soon come to know peace.”
Enough ‘male-dominated solutions’
Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Inger Andersen says the world already has “enough male-dominated solutions”.
In reinforcing environmental multilateralism, she said that it is important for women to be “at the heart of decision-making”.
Drive action
The Chairman of the Commission, Mathu Joyini, called young women “engineers of change for climate action and awareness”.
“We need to ensure that their leadership and meaningful contributions in these areas are incorporated into decision-making processes.”
“Women and girls around the world are looking to the Commission as the leading authority on gender equality and women’s empowerment for guidance.. ”
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