[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Excellencies, friends, colleagues,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The climate crisis is upon us, and we are only just beginning to endure the consequences of the neglect we have shown to our planet.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, the proliferation of extreme weather events, and the increasing frequency of natural disasters, testify to this new and terrifying reality.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What is becoming equally obvious is that those consequences are not gender neutral. Women continue to be disproportionately affected by climate change and disasters.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The numbers speak for themselves: women represented more than 70% of the dead from the 2004 Asian tsunami; 61% of the deaths in the 2008 cyclone Nargis in Myanmar; 91% of the deaths in the 1991 cyclone in Bangladesh; and 75% of those displaced due to rains and flooding in 18 African countries in 2007. And these are just those directly impacted.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Numbers do not lie. The onus then is on us to ensure that global climate response and resilience strategies reflect the facts on the ground\u2026 that they be gender sensitive and gender responsive.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our efforts must be on multiple fronts. We must acknowledge the disproportionate impacts endured by women, while at the same time empowering them to act alongside their peers, at every level, to build climate and disaster-resilient communities. We must also recognize that efforts <\/span>are <\/span><\/i>being undertaken by women, at multiple levels, and give them the platforms and support they need.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction must serve as our roadmap. This is particularly important now, as we approach the midterm review of Sendai. Its chief strength is that it recognizes the importance of local contexts, and of giving communities the discretion to shape their own responses, working alongside all partners, in a manner best suited to them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Drawing upon Sendai\u2019s principles of inclusion and community engagement, we will better position ourselves to empower women working in climate and disaster risk management. This is especially vital in the wake of COVID-19. Because, while the pandemic has affected us all, its impacts and tragedies were more keenly felt among already vulnerable populations, including women and girls.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We must take action now and fulfil our existing commitments under the Sendai Framework, while taking into account their gender action plans.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n COVID-19 has given us reason to pause and reflect on what we could have been doing better prior to its emergence. It gave us the opportunity to consider the kind of world we want to inhabit after we leave the pandemic behind.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We must seize this unique opportunity to transform our societies, to usher in a world that is climate responsible <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> gender equal.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Towards these ends it is essential now, as we emerge from COVID-19, that we recognize and support women. We must empower those who are working at the grassroots level to ensure they have the capacity to help their communities avert, adapt to, and mitigate disaster risk.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We must learn from their insights into the challenges faced by local communities, especially those in disaster-prone areas, so that we can help tailor contextual responses.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And as part of our broader efforts to address the historical injustices of women\u2019s exclusion and marginalization, we must empower women leaders in climate, conservation, and disaster-risk management.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A gender-sensitive midterm review of the Sendai Framework can help achieve each of these goals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Together, we can empower women, accelerate our ongoing efforts to recover better, and secure a more resilient, hopeful future for all of humanity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Reducing disaster risk through a gender-responsive midterm review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[806,550,505,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-261374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-csw","tag-ga","tag-gender","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n