Women and Girls Participation and Agency in the Climate Crisis
Blog by Sarah Bambrook - SI Melbourne
As global temperatures rise, studies show that rates of violence rise as well. This striking insight opened a CSW70 parallel event exploring how the climate crisis affects not only the environment but also safety, health, and gender equality.
The panel brought together researchers, physicians, psychologists, and social scientists from several countries to examine how climate change is intensifying existing gender inequalities. Environmental disruption contributes to displacement, poverty, and reduced access to education, employment, and healthcare for women and girls across the life course.
A particularly compelling presentation focused on the leadership of Indigenous women. Dr Ángela María Pinzón Rondón described how climate change intersects with health, land, food systems, and community wellbeing. Indigenous women are often at the forefront of protecting ecosystems and cultural knowledge while advocating for climate justice within their communities.
Speakers also highlighted practical strategies to strengthen women’s leadership, including recognising Indigenous women’s environmental knowledge, ensuring women’s representation in climate decision-making, and supporting community-led resilience initiatives in which women play central roles.
The discussion also explored the psychological and social dimensions of climate change, including its impacts on migration, mental health, and community stability.
Panellists included: Angela María Pinzón Rondón, Erinn C Cameron, Laura Lopez-Aybar, Sheri R Levy, Meroona Gopang, Kimberly Kahn, and David Livert.
This discussion connects closely with the Soroptimist International pillars of Environment, Health, and Empowerment, highlighting how advancing gender equality is central to building resilient communities in the face of the climate crisis. As the discussion made clear, tackling the climate crisis is not only about protecting the planet, it is about recognising and supporting the leadership of women and girls who are already building more resilient communities.