COP13 in Bali: from a gender perspective, a significant breakthrough was achieved.
For the first time in UNFCCC history, a worldwide network of women, gendercc – women for climate justice, was established. The group published several position papers articulating the women’s and gender perspectives on the most pressing issues under negotiation. And for the first time a range of activities on women’s and gender issues was organized by various organisations and institutions. And they met with interest, increasing awareness, and increased expression of commitment to gender justice from a number of stakeholders.

Side events at COP13 (in chronological order)

Women in the Forest – not a fairy taile
The first side event related to gender discussed women’s roles in ‘reducing emissions by avoided deforestation’ Minutes of the workshop can be downloaded here, presentations are available at UNFCCC website.

Integrating gender into climate change policy: challenges, constraints, perspectives
The second side event was co-hosted by gendercc, UNDP, UNEP and FAO. The aim of the event was to present the network’s gender positions and to discuss them with high-level delegates. The representatives from the EU DG Environment, the UNFCCC secretariat, form the government of Tuvalu, from FAO as well as several ministers who attended the meeting, committed themselves to support the integration of gender perspectives into climate policy.

Adaptation and gender equality: experiences from the South
ActionAid, Heinrich Böll Foundation, WEDO and UNDP discussed how adaptation financing can best support women's rights in developing countries, shared experiences of incorporating gender analysis into national adaptation plans; and discussed what can be done to ensure they promote gender equality. www.actionaid.org

Gender and climate change
The side event was organised by the Indonesian Ministry for Women’s Empowerment. The keynote speech was given by the First Lady of Indonesia, Ms. Ani Mambang Yudhoyono, addressing ‘Women as a driving force to fight climate change’. The Minister for Women Empowerment, Prof. Dr. Meutia Hatta Swasono illustrated activitites undertaken in the run-up to the UNFCCC conference, in particular the ‘Conference on the Indonesian women’s local wisdom: adaptation and mitigation of the adverse impacts of climate change’.

Levers of global security: examining how a changing climate impact women
During this side event the joint initiative by UNDP; UNEP, IUCN and WEDO “Global Gender and Climate Alliance” was launched.

Further activities

In continuation to recent COPs, a meeting of the Network of the Women Ministers for the Environment took place. The ministers submitted gender recommendations to the UNFCCC process.

A daily women's meeting aimed to discuss positions and strategies, and to share information.

A press conference "Women's Milestones for the Bali Roadmap" was held in the main press conference room and webcasted to the UNFCCC website.

Gender activities closed with a statement in the plenary, which focused on two main issues: the rejection of nuclear energy to be included in the CDM, and the traditional knowledge of women and women’s contribution to forest conservation. Both issues got a lot of positive response and applause from the audience, some Ministers were congratulating the group for the important statement afterwards.

Reporting

An analysis of the gender activities at COP13/CMP3 can be read in the preprint of an article which will be published in the book edited by Velma Grovers "Global warming and Climate Change: Kyoto ten years and Still Counting" (forthcoming, Spring 2008).
There is also a full chapter in the book "Solidarity in the Greenhouse: Gender Equality and Climate Change" dealing with women's participation and gender mainstreaming in the UNFCCC process.

A full report of the activities of the gendercc network at COP13/CMP3 is available, too.