On 8 December, the RAJA foundation Danièle Marcovici organised a conference on ‘Women&Environment’.

On the occasion of the UN climate conference COP21, the Foundation emphasises the vital role played by women in the ongoing fight against climate change.

Theconference, organised by the Foundation, which has been at the forefront of defending women’s rights for 10 years, was held on 8 December at the Grand Palais in Paris, in the framework of the COP21 resolutions. During the conference, the study conducted by the Foundation was presented, demonstrating the key role of women in protecting the environment and combating climate change, which has so far been underestimated.

In the light of the research results, numerous leading experts in the field discussed the topic and came up with concrete solutions for incorporating gender equality into environmental protection programmes.

THE ‘WOMEN & ENVIRONMENT’ PROGRAMME

As the first victims of climate change and natural disasters, women can combine their traditional knowledge with innovative solutions to protect the environment through their daily actions (timber harvesting, horticulture, animal husbandry, etc.).

This is why the RAJA Danièle Marcovici Foundation, committed for 10 years to actions in favour of women’s emancipation, launched the “Women & Environment” operation, supported by the RAJA group, to finance projects in support of women and the environment.

Last week’s conference is an integral part of this programme and is crucial in bringing to the attention of the media and the public the importance of women’s role in combating climate change.

“Wewant to show how important it is to put gender equality at the centre of all environmental protection actions. By empowering women and providing them with the means for sustainable development we will not only benefit women but the whole community.” Danièle Kapel Marcovici

AN UNPRECEDENTED STUDY DEMONSTRATING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN WOMEN’S AUTONOMY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

During the ‘Women & the Environment’ conference, the Foundation presented the conclusions of the study ‘Women & the Environment: a decisive building block for sustainable development’. Based on the analysis of international public data and the presentation of 9 innovative field projects carried out by international NGO solidarity, this report illustrates the cause-effect relationships and positive synergies between the improvement of women’s status, from access to rights to empowerment in all fields, and the reduction of climate change and environmental protection.

A ROUND TABLE TO BRING TO LIGHT SOLUTIONS FOR WOMEN AND THE CLIMATE

This conference with an international scope brought together experts and representatives of civil society and international organisations involved in the promotion of equitable and sustainable development, who place women’s empowerment and the fight against inequality at the centre of their actions.

Some of the speakers were:

Corinne LEPAGE, International President of WECF

Philippe LEVEQUE, Director of CARE France

Fatour NDOYE, Coordinator of the Department of Industrial Agriculture at Enda Graf Sahel, Senegal

Hindou OUMAROU IBRAHIM, Coordinator of the Fulani Indigenous Women’s Association in Chad

Vandana SHIVA, Founder of the Indian NGO Navdanya, recipient of the Right Lovelyhood Award, known as the alternative Nobel Prize

Maria_Noël VAEZA Director of UN Women’s Programme Division

Claudy VOUHE Member of Gender Action, expert in gender and development issues.

Some of the statements:

‘Women are the solution, facing different challenges for sustainable development’ .Maria_Noël VAEZA

‘It is essential to provide material and financial means to women’ .Corinne LEPAGE

“Development programmes aimed at women work better than those aimed at men. It is necessary to share this potential and adopt a different perspective’. Philippe LEVEQUE