Presentation at the ESIL 2023 conference feminism interest group workshop with Dona Anyona entitled: Fairness, Women, and the Climate Crisis

Activity: Talk or presentationInvited talkAcademic

Description

Women are underrepresented in climate science, in governments and government delegations negotiating international climate agreements, and on international courts interpreting those agreements. For example, the International Court of Justice (which is now considering a UNGA request for an advisory opinion on climate change) has had only 5 female judges out of a total of 111. To quote Charlesworth, Chinkin, and Wright: “the invisibility of women is striking”.

The absence of women in these processes is undoubtedly reflected in the fact that they are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Due to persistent gender inequality and discrimination, women and girls are at greater risk because of, inter alia, higher levels of poverty, lack of education, and mobility. Scholars, experts, and UN Special Rapporteurs have also identified an increase in harmful practices including forced and child marriage as well as violence against women due to climate change. Women’s marginalisation is unfair in principle but also counterproductive in practice: given the magnitude of the climate crisis now reported, over 50 per cent of the population cannot be excluded from decision-making and finding solutions. The full range of diverse views and experiences is needed to address the challenges of climate change.
Period30 Aug 2023
Event titleEuropean Society of International Law
Event typeConference
LocationFranceShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational

Keywords

  • women's rights
  • climate crisis
  • equality
  • international law