The fight against climate change is inextricably linked to gender and equality.
"The future depends on how we deal with climate change, biodiversity and food consumption. If we are to ensure a reasonable balance we cannot avoid including the gender perspective", said the Danish Minister of Gender Equality
Men and women affect the environment and the climate differently, and we have to integrate the gender perspective in the fight against climate change, say the Nordic ministers of gender equality, who are taking part in the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
The Nordic countries all have the chance to lead the way in regard to integrating gender and equality perspectives in the global fight against climate change. And it's urgent This was the message from the Nordic ministers of gender quality at the side-event "A Prosperous Future For All – Gender, Climate Change and Biodiversity in a Globalized World" organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers at the UN in New York.
"The future depends on how we deal with climate change, biodiversity and food consumption. And if we are to ensure a reasonable balance we cannot avoid including the gender perspective, was the message from Denmark's Minister of Gender Equality, Manu Sareen, who encouraged far more involvement of women in the work for sustainable development.
"It will not be easy but we must insist on including gender equality and the empowerment of women in the development of a sustainable future. We must strive to include women when designing a better and more sustainable world, because many women are responsible for the small everyday things which influence future developments", said the Danish minister.
Thórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, Iceland's former Minister of the Environment, was also on the panel. She argued for stronger Nordic co-operation in regard to international work against climate change and the integration of the gender equality aspect.
"The Nordic countries should present a united front. In this area the Nordic Region has a huge influence, admittedly we are small, but together we are strong, we are fast and we know what we are talking about", said Thórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir.
Jesper F. Schou-Knudsen
Phone
+45 33 96 03 55
Email
jsk@norden.org
Heidi Orava
Phone
+45 21 71 71 48
Email
heor@norden.org