Side event
Empowering Women for Climate Resilience in the Pacific
Empowering women for climate resilience is essential to creating sustainable and inclusive responses to the climate crisis. In Kiribati and across the Pacific, women face distinct climate-related challenges. Rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and the resulting strain on freshwater and food supplies increase the burden of unpaid domestic and care work, particularly for women, who play a central role in family care and food security. Health risks are also heightened, especially during pregnancy, and social stresses linked to climate change often exacerbate gender-based vulnerabilities, including domestic violence. These disproportionate impacts on women are felt widely across the Pacific, from the Solomon Islands to Vanuatu and Fiji, where communities share similar struggles.
Yet, women are key agents of change and bring invaluable knowledge to climate adaptation and resilience-building efforts. Their unique perspectives in managing natural resources and disaster preparedness contribute directly to environmental sustainability and support broader progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Women's leadership in climate change actions, policies, and decision-making is critical to unlocking innovative, community-centered solutions that enhance climate adaptation. Promoting gender equality in climate adaptation is fundamental—not only to build resilient communities in Kiribati but across the Pacific. Increasing women’s involvement, leadership, and voice at all levels strengthens climate resilience by ensuring diverse perspectives and skills are included in solutions. By empowering women to lead, communities can more effectively address the complex, interlinked challenges of climate change, social equity, and sustainable development.
Kiribati is advancing efforts to integrate gender into national climate policy and action. Since COP27, Kiribati has made strides by appointing a National Climate Change and Gender Focal Point, increasing women’s representation in climate negotiation delegations, and amplifying gender and youth issues within negotiation priorities. This leadership initiative will be showcased, alongside insights from other Pacific nations' gender focal points, to share best practices and reinforce gender-responsive climate action. The lessons and key messages from this session will enhance current implementation of the Women’s Resilience to Disasters (WRD) Programme in Kiribati, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and inform the next phase of the programme. WRD is a four-year programme and gender equality accelerator of UN Women that promotes gender-responsive DRR and resilience governance and targeted actions for women and girls. The program offers co-financing, technical support, a knowledge hub, and a register of experts. It operates through interconnected global, regional, and country-level components, advocating for women’s leadership and enabling gender-responsive systems tailored to each national context, while also fostering global knowledge sharing and coordination among stakeholders to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment for sustainable and secure communities.
The session aims to
- Facilitate collaborative sharing of gender-responsive climate and disaster risk resilience efforts from the Pacific.
- Highlight the importance of women’s participation and leadership in resilience building at national and local levels.
- Promote partnerships between women’s organizations and government for effective integration of gender-responsive approaches in climate change action and policies for resilience.
Format
In-person moderated panel discussion
Agenda
10:00-10:05
Welcome and Introduction
Makereta Konrote, Programme Specialist – Peace, Security and Resilience, UN Women
10:05-10:10
Opening Remarks
H.E. Ambassador David Teaabo
10:10-10:35
Panel Discussion
Speakers
- Takena Redfern, UNFCCC National Gender and Climate Change Focal Point, Kiribati
- Pauliane Basil, Senior Adaptation & DRR Officer, Vanuatu
- Vaela Devesi, Director of Women's Development. Division. Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Solomon Islands
10:35-10:45
Q&A
10:45:10:50
Closing Remarks
Hon Sashi Kiran, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Fiji
