Event Recording
Organizer
Background
Established in 2014, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network supports developing countries to advance their NAP processes to help accelerate climate change adaptation efforts around the world. The Secretariat of the Network is hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Today, the NAP Global Network connects over 2,000 participants from more than 155 countries working on national adaptation planning and action. Gender equality is a priority theme for the Network – to date we have provided technical support on gender-responsive NAP processes to 16 countries, and have brought representatives of 35 countries together in peer learning processes on integrating gender considerations in NAP processes. Through this engagement, we have learned important lessons fostering women’s leadership as an essential element of gender-responsive adaptation action.
The event focused on the importance of women’s leadership in national-level policies and plans that are designed to build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Through dialogue, the event discussed how capacities and networks can be enhanced to enable women’s leadership in adaptation decision making, and highlight the difference this makes in ensuring that adaptation action is gender-responsive. Discussed strategies included peer learning, mentoring, and creative communications. The event was of interest to adaptation practitioners, government decision makers, and gender equality advocates.
Objectives
- To increase awareness of the importance of women’s leadership in national-level policy and planning processes for climate change adaptation.
- To enhance understanding of different methods to build capacities for women’s leadership in gender-responsive adaptation planning and implementation.
Structure
| Time |
Segment and Speakers |
| 5 mins |
Welcome and opening remarks
|
| 5 mins |
Video: Why Gender Matters for Adaptation |
| 10 mins |
Introduction to panelists
- Lydia Wanjiku Kibandi, Lensational Kenya
- Stella Okoh, Environmental Protection Agency - Climate Change Department Ghana
- UnaMay Gordon, Caribbean Women in Leadership
Moderators:
- Angie Dazé, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
- Anne Hammill, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
|
| 20 mins |
Lightning talks from panelists
- Pre-recorded lightning talk from Lydia Wanjiku Kibandi
- In-person talks from Stella Okoh and UnaMay Gordon
|
| 20 mins |
Q&A with participants
Note: Lydia Wanjiku Kibandi will be joining virtually and will participate in the Q&A
|
| 5 mins |
Closing remarks |
Key Outcomes
- Enhancing capacities of women, especially voices of young women is crucial to enable a meaningful participation of women in adaptation action. Young women need to be targeted to empower and amplify their participation in decision-making.
- Without understanding what policies are responding to it is difficult to have an impact on them. Education and knowledge sharing of processes is necessary for women’s participation in those processes.
- Conscious effort needs to be made towards resetting and transforming cultural barriers to achieve long-term, inclusive adaptation options. Gender equality cannot be separated from climate change issues.
