Speech of the UN Resident Coordinator at the Launch of the virtual photographic exhibition on the occasion of International Women’s Day

Excellencies,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen and friends,

Good morning and Happy International Women’s Day to all of you!

This year we are coming together around an overarching global theme of “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, recognizing the close relationship existing between climate change and gender inequality, and the threats posed by both.

We are meeting at a very difficult time, both in Lebanon and globally. A time when authoritarian strongman leadership is dominating our approaches to matters of peace and security. As mentioned once by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, we are starkly witnessing an “age-old truth that the roots of patriarchy run deep”, and that we continue to live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture; a reality which we are all paying the price for. This unfortunate reality means that profound changes are needed in how we deal with crises.

In the wake of last year’s COP26, we take the opportunity of International Women’s Day to reflect on existential threats: the global climate change crisis, the persisting environmental degradation, their detrimental impacts on health and livelihoods, and their close connection to instability. Data and research are also gradually showing a stronger and more evident correlation between gender, social equity, and climate change.

However, in the public sphere -be it in Lebanon or globally- conversations on the existing nexus between climate and gender equality are absent. Very little is known or understood about the central role that women and girls play in addressing, mitigating, and solving the climate crisis, or all too often about how social and gender inequalities perpetuate it.  

The climate and environmental crises we are currently facing are by no means “gender-neutral”. They are rooted in the deceptive practices of inequality, perpetuated through increased gender-based violence, continued discrimination and exclusion, and gender stereotypes, to name a few. Even more disturbing, when women and girls are addressed in the context of discussions on climate change and environmental degradation, they are often presented as helpless victims without agency or capacity to contribute to solutions and action.

But this is not the actual reality. Last year, women swept the UN’s 2021 ‘Champions of the Earth’ awards. They were chosen for their outstanding leadership and impact in advancing bold action on behalf of the people and the planet. They inspired, defended, mobilized, and acted on considerable environmental challenges, including ecosystem protection and restoration.

Women of Lebanon have been equally championing various environmental initiatives. They were able to induce behavioral change, to improve lives, to increase overall well-being by promoting sustainable waste and energy solutions, and by fighting air and water pollution, among other initiatives. We need more of these women, and we need to deliberately foster their full engagement in order to yield environmental gains in Lebanon.

Ladies and gentlemen,

With this year’s campaign, and through fascinating stories of nine inspiring women from Lebanon, we seek to counter the narrative that women are helpless victims and passive receptive to change, particularly in the environmental spectrum. We seek to remind ourselves as well as policy-makers that women’s leadership and active engagement in decision-making can actually be a game-changer!

Therefore, we are seizing today’s celebration of International Women’s Day to reinforce and further intensify the work of women in Lebanon in addressing the issues of climate change and environmental degradation that are further deepened by the multi-faceted crisis that the country is still unfortunately facing.

We are amplifying the message that it is not too late:

1. To invest in climate action by women and for women;
2. To empower women entrepreneurs and decision-makers to tackle environmental challenges and crises;
3. To give voice but mostly, POWER, to the next generation of Earth champions;
4. And to demand more firm and genuine commitments to build an equal and enduring future for all.

The inter-generational knowledge, skills, and leadership of women environmental defenders and climate activists need to be fully brought to bear if Lebanon is to succeed in the conservation and sustainable use of the country’s limited resources and subsequently ensure its sustainable recovery.

So what is it that we need to see? We need to see that gender equality is at the center of all climate change solutions. This means that solutions need to be comprehensive and address both visible and invisible obstacles to women’s advancement. Not because it’s a matter of justice and fairness but because women have proven their outstanding leadership across all spectrums. And for that, we have a duty to leverage these capacities and skills that will surely help keep the climate crisis under control.

But how can we achieve this?  

1. By mainstreaming gender into climate actions, and in environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and plans in Lebanon.
2. By further promoting women’s and girls’ full and equal participation and fostering their leadership to achieve real change.
3. By strengthening prevention, response, and recovery from sexual and gender-based violence.
4. And by increasing the financing of gender-responsive climate, environmental, and disaster risk initiatives, as well as supporting women’s organizations, enterprises, and cooperatives in this endeavor.

Let me conclude by asserting that without women’s leadership and full participation, we will never defeat climate change and will never achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. And without gender equality today, a sustainable and equal future remains well beyond our reach and Lebanon’s recovery will be difficult to achieve.   

So, let’s put our shoulder to the wheel to ensure Lebanon’s gender-equal and sustainable recovery.

Thank you.