News item | 08-03-2022 | 11:08
On International Women’s Day, Pascalle Grotenhuis, ambassador for women’s rights and gender equality and Aniek Moonen, chair of the Young Climate Movement, on the strength of women and young people in the climate crisis. Pascalle: ‘It is precisely because women and young people are hit hard by climate change that they have very creative ideas.’
‘Half the world’s population consists of men and half of women, but you don’t really see the 50/50 split anywhere,’ says Pascalle. For example, the COP26 in Glasgow was attended by few women leaders and only 25% of national climate or environment ministers in the EU are women. As ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pascalle is committed to women’s rights and gender equality worldwide. ‘We draw attention to women’s rights worldwide, support projects that focus on gender equality and help women leaders and organizations that do not have the resources or a seat at the table themselves.’
But according to Pascalle, it goes further than just women, because young people and indigenous women never sit at the table at all. As chair of the Young Climate Movement, Aniek also notices that the voice of young people is greatly underestimated. While, in her view, young people offer a valuable long-term perspective. Aniek: ‘I may live until 2080, or even 2100. As a result, I really make different decisions than someone who knows it will end for them in 2040.’
Hit hard
‘In fact, women and girls are hit the hardest in all crises’, says Pascalle. ‘In a climate crisis, women often take extra care of their families or the elderly. Schools and care institutions are also closing, which means that women have little access to aids such as contraception and mother and child care. While it is very important that young women can decide for themselves when, how many and with whom they have children.’
‘It is often young women who are the first to lose their job,’ adds Aniek. Young people in particular will experience the consequences of climate change in the future. According to Aniek, the fact that some groups are disproportionately affected by climate change is still too little discussed. ‘Climate change is not just about tons of CO2 and extra warm summers. There are many factors that impact climate change and many ways in which the change manifests itself. As a result, there is not one cause, not one effect, and therefore not one solution either.’
Clean cooking and shared cars
Aniek and Pascalle believe that there are many solutions to groups that are often underrepresented in the climate debate. Pascalle: ‘It is precisely because women and young people are hit hard by climate change that they have very creative ideas. For instance clean cooking initiatives, where women in difficult circumstances still try to cook in a healthy and environmentally friendly way. For example, by using cooking appliances that run on ethanol instead of cooking on charcoal or petroleum.’
Pascalle also sees that young people often think more freely, without looking from vested interests. Aniek recognizes this too. ‘We see that the people who are now at the controls think much more in margins: how can we solve the climate problem, but still maintain our standard of living?’ However, according to Aniek, this is not an option. ‘We really have to make sacrifices, because our current way of life is not sustainable. Young people are often aware of this and that is why they come up with creative solutions.’
Pascalle mentions shared cars as an example: ‘Young people think from the point of view: not everyone needs a car, because you can also borrow cars.’ Aniek nods. ‘Young people are more flexible in that area. If I don’t take a car, how can I fix it?’ According to Aniek, this kind of social innovation is still too often underestimated. ‘The focus is now often on technological innovation, but these kinds of questions about our way of life are also very important. I also notice that young people and women are particularly involved in social innovations and have expertise in this area.’
women’s quota
Women and young people must be given a greater role in the climate debate. But how do you do that? ‘One way you often hear is a women’s quota,’ says Aniek. Yet, she believes, a quota only works in an inclusive organization where decision-making also aligns with the way women want to work. ‘You could say: we just put two women there. But if the organization is not inclusive, you will lose it within six months. You must first ensure an inclusive organization before pursuing diversity.’
Pascalle nods: ‘It is also important to involve men in this, because part of the solution lies with men.’ Ultimately, Pascalle hopes to be succeeded by a man who finds women’s rights important. ‘Gender equality does not only work in favor of women. It makes the whole society move forward. So a call to men: is the conversation about women? Make sure there are also women in the room.’
Critical questions
But talking about women with only women doesn’t work either, according to Pascalle and Aniek. ‘When Aniek and I talk about climate and gender, we quickly think in the same box,’ Pascalle gives as an example. ‘There is therefore a risk that we will radicalize the large group, so that we will lose it completely.’ Aniek and Pascalle therefore find it more interesting to talk to a diverse group of people. Aniek: ‘Everyone comes up with their own perspectives, thoughts and expertise, which gives you a completely different discussion.’
Because according to Pascalle and Aniek it is precisely critical questions that ensure that we make progress. Aniek: ‘In the best case scenario, you arrive at a solution that everyone has contributed to. A solution that is somewhat suitable for every group.’ Pascalle nods: ‘In this way you automatically create more support. It is therefore so important that not only politicians think about tackling climate change, but also society and business. This will take longer, but you’ll come out of it better.’
A view on the future
Aniek hopes that those who are hardest hit by climate change will be given a central role during the climate conference in Egypt (COP27) and The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) later this year. ‘Involving young people and women is not fun for it; we have to realize that this is the only way we can work on effective solutions.’
Pascalle hopes that more countries will follow the example of the Netherlands. “We always take a young person and someone from civil society to major conferences. It would be great if more countries involve young people in the discussion about climate and put gender equality at the heart of climate policy.’