9 December 2014: On the occasion of ‘Gender Day’ at the Lima Climate Change Conference, the UNFCCC Secretariat organized a High-Level Event on Gender and Climate Change, under the theme ‘Men and Women Taking Action on Gender Equality and Climate Change: How Far Have We Come?’ The event recognized the necessity of including women in decision-making processes and their particular capacity to share information on resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, President of the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP20), drew attention to the Lima Work Programme for Gender, which was approved by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and will be considered by the COP’s high-level segment. Mary Robinson, UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, reminded participants of the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, noting women’s representation at climate conferences is just one piece of the puzzle. She underscored the role of women as powerful change agents.

The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNFCCC Secretariat, with the support of UN Women, announced the launch of a Women’s Leadership Programme. The Programme, which will be officially launched at the 17th World Meteorological Congress in May 2015, will recognize women’s role in addressing climate change issues and build leadership skills to ensure gender equality in critical weather and climate contexts. Among its initial activities, the Programme will host a Women’s Leadership Workshop to strengthen the skills of delegates and diplomats attending the WMO Congress.

Representatives of the UNFCCC Women and Gender and UNFCCC Youth Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Constituencies called for policies to empower women in building resilience and ensure their engagement in the decision-making process, as well as a financial package, without conditions, to help women adapt to climate change.

High-level speakers from the Gambia, Peru, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women described how developing countries are creating action plans and budgetary allocations for gender-related development activities; recommended incorporating gender disaggregated data into national development plans; called on countries to commit to legally-binding gender equality policies; and lauded campaigns like #HeForShe for engaging men and boys in gender conversations.

In addition to the high-level event, Gender Day featured a breakfast meeting of the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for the Environment; the UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency press conference; and an event by the UNFCCC Momentum for Change Initiative on ‘Women for Results.’ [IISD RS ENBOTS Coverage] [IISD RS ENBOTS Video Coverage of Side Event] [IISD RS Coverage of Lima Climate Change Conference] [UNFCCC Event Announcement] [UNFCCC Gender Day Programme] [UNITAR Press Release] [WMO Gender Conference Website] [UN Women Website] [Women and Gender Constituency Website] [Momentum for Change Initiative Webpage]