Women & Girls Bear The Brunt Of The Climate Crisis

The Circle is part of a coalition of leading activists and organisations calling for climate justice with gender justice. This is more critical now than ever. The climate crisis threatens women’s livelihoods and reverses progress made towards equality. Climate change is increasing violence against women and girls including domestic abuse, child marriage and sexual assault. It also keeps them out of school. Women in the global south in particular are faced with a crisis they did nothing to cause.

Despite leading the response to climate change, women are under-represented at every level of decision-making when it comes to climate change response, especially women of colour, those with disabilities and those from the global south. Women’s organisations receive a tiny share of climate finance.

The time is now for governments to take urgent action to support women and girls as leaders and frontline responders. As President of the COP26 UN climate talks, The UK Government has an influential and critical role to play in accelerating global ambition to stop the climate crisis, leading by example and securing commitments that put women first.

Climate change is the fight that unites us all. That’s why as supporters of gender justice and women’s rights we are calling on the UK Government to make sure they deliver:

The unprecedented ambition needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.- As the world’s scientists have pointed out, every fraction of a degree counts as the world’s most marginalised women and girls feel the impacts first and hardest.
Increased international financial support to communities – including women’s rights organisations – on the
frontline of the climate crisis to adapt to climate change and address loss and damage
Specific targets of how the UK’s climate finance will deliver on gender equality and reach women’s
organisations
Investment for a fossil fuel free future that creates green jobs, and prioritises a feminist and women’s rights
perspective
Climate decision making which is transparent, inclusive and equitable and ensures diverse women’s voices
and participation, including in the UK’s COP26 team

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