COP12/CMP2 in Nairobi: Research review and lobbying points
The 12th UN-Conference on Climate Change in Kenya has directed the focus on Subsaharian Africa – a region that will be strongly affected by climate change. It can be expected that women will play a particularly important role in this context. On the one hand, they are a part of the population that suffers eminently from the results of global environmental changes, on the other hand, they hold a great potential for the development and the support of much needed measures.
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These issues were addressed in an intervention in the plenary. It was given by Annabell Waititu, Kenya, on behalf of the gender & climate change community. The statement highlighted the impacts of climate change on women in Africa and all over the world and expressed the need for information, technology transfer, and resources – particularly for women, especially in Africa. The women who gathered at COP12 called for a creative and integrated approach to climate change policy and offer governments: “if you are lacking in ideas, women are prepared to contribute!”
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As in previous years, a group of women, coordinated by genanet - focal point gender, environment, sustainability has lobbied at the conference in order to ensure that the discussion will not be limited to a technocratic orientation, but that social aspects of climate change will be recognized - especially where the interests of women are concerned.
An information booth provided the information needed and was a space for lots of debates about gender issues with delegates, showing the growing interest in bringing gender into the negotiations. The women's caucus discussed some points, which should be the base for lobbying with governments. The paper is was a first step, some issues were still missing (like technology transfer), other needed to be elaborated more specifically to link them to the negotiations.
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Related to a Research Review on Gender and Climate Change, which was undertaken by Minu Hemmati und Ulrike Roehr from genanet – focal point gender, environment, sustainability, in cooperation with and funded by FAO, a side event was organised. First results were presented, and a discussion with the audience demonstrated the need for more gender disaggregated data.
