A distinguished panel of global women leaders convened here on Wednesday, October 30, to discuss the crucial role of women in addressing climate change issues, while fostering peace and strengthening security across the globe.
The event was among the high-level segments of the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), which brought together more than 700 delegates from 84 countries worldwide.
In a segment titled “Rising Tides, Rising Leaders: Women Spearheading Climate, Peace, and Security,” the panel discussed and explored how climate-related risks intersect with security challenges, emphasizing the need for women’s leadership in crafting and implementing resilient and sustainable solutions.
Women as the most vulnerable during climate crisis
In her opening remarks, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla noted that climate change is not just an environmental crisis but a main driver of insecurity, which exacerbates the vulnerabilities of those already in the margins, particularly women and communities displaced by conflict and environmental disasters.
“Women and girls face numerous challenges as a result of the climate crisis, including the loss of the economic base, increased vulnerability to food and water scarcity, heightened risk of gender-based violence during disasters, and insecurity and greater barriers to accessing education and health care,” Valdeavilla said.
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) framework provides stakeholders with an inclusive, holistic, and integrated platform to address these intersecting issues in policy and programming spaces.
An analysis from the 2023 WPS Index suggests that countries committed to Women, Peace, and Security principles are not only more peaceful but also better equipped to handle climate change challenges.
“Climate change has also specific security implications, especially in conflict-vulnerable areas. Climate-induced disasters and regions like the Bangsamoro increase competition for scarce resources, amplifying tensions and the potential for conflict,” Valdeavilla said.#
