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It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the conference "Climate and energy crisis: The Impact on Gender Equality" co-organised by the Office of the Environment Commissioner and the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner.
Dear Commissioner, dear Josie, let me take this opportunity to thank you personally and your team for the excellent and fruitful cooperation in our joint initiative to organise this important conference. Our cooperation is well-established and multidimensional, in the context of our common goal of improving the quality of life of citizens in terms of sustainability, an objective that is a priority in the governance agenda. With today's conference we are taking another step towards its realisation.
The conference focuses on the impact of the climate and energy crisis on gender equality and aspires to provide a space for creative discussion and reflection around the assumption that women are more and differently affected by climate change than men. At the same time, women are less represented in the decision-making centres that deal with it.
Our aim today is to inform and raise awareness among women on this issue and to encourage them to participate in actions and initiatives to address the climate and energy crisis. Furthermore, our aim is to inform ourselves about the steps we need to take to end this unequal participation, how to mitigate the impact of the climate and energy crisis on women and how to adapt to or even halt the effects of environmental pressures. That is why we are honoured to have with us today a distinguished speaker from the United Nations (UN), Dr Salma Al-Nims, United Nations (UN) Senior Social Affairs Officer, Gender Equality, Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Cluster, who with her valuable experiences and knowledge will shed light on multiple aspects of the issue.
Gender equality and environmental protection are two seemingly unrelated topics. The reality, however, is different as both apply, or should apply horizontally, to every aspect and facet of our daily lives. At the same time, the impact of the climate and energy crisis on gender equality has already been measurably documented, something we will hear more about from our speakers. First of all, women are often more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather disasters and environmental degradation. The impacts manifest themselves in a variety of ways from increased risk to their health due to climate-related diseases to increased economic vulnerability, particularly in poor or rural areas. Women in many societies also have limited access to resources and opportunities, which can have a negative impact on their ability to participate in decisions affecting the environment. In addition, inequality in the distribution of both resources and benefits from sustainable development is often problematic. Finally, access to education for women is directly related to their ability to participate in environmental initiatives as education empowers women to contribute to environmental protection.
It is therefore imperative, in the face of climate change and the energy crisis, to take the necessary measures to address their consequences in a way that takes into account the gender equality dimension. Integrating both the environmental impact and the gender dimension into all aspects of policies and initiatives can ensure preventive action to avoid pollution and all kinds of inequality. Moreover, this also helps to promote the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Women must have equal representation in the decision-making centres where policies and strategies are drawn up, so that their views, experiences and knowledge can shape the strategies we adopt. In addition, investing in education and training programmes for women in green and blue professions is crucial, as in this way we not only empower women but also strengthen our workforce in areas vital to sustainable development. Of course, it must also be ensured that women have equal opportunities of access to these professions. Finally, it is important to remember that economic security is a cornerstone of gender equality, and that by promoting the inclusion of women in environmentally sustainable sectors we are paving the way for a more equitable future.
In conclusion, I would like to stress that addressing the impact of the climate and energy crisis on gender equality is a prerequisite for a sustainable tomorrow. This can only be achieved through cooperation and joining forces. Today's conference is practical proof of the strengthening and empowerment of this cooperation.
(EN/CFS/MS)
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