Why It’s Important Women’s Voices Should Be Heard In The Fight Against Climate Change

Matthew Muir speaks to Gabrielle Macbeth in Scotland and Zainab Waheed in Lahore, Pakistan for the ‘100 Voices: Home and Away’ project. 

Women speaking in a conference. Source: Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

As COP26 arrives in Glasgow next month, this is just as a more opportune moment as any for the UK, and countries across the world, to reflect on just how much they are allowing their female citizens to be represented and voice their opinion on climate change.

Home- Gabrielle Macbeth, Scotland

Gabrielle has worked for Glasgow Women’s Library as a volunteer co-ordinator for 10 years. 

She said: “It's also important that women, and others who are marginalised and have the least access to decision-making, are involved in developing and putting into practice policies which reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and allow us to appreciate and connect with our environment. I believe we need to see ourselves as part of the environment and not separate from it. Many cultures have that kind of relationship already, so there is lots to learn from communities around the world.”

Away- Zainab Waheed, Pakistan 

16-year-old Zainab is a climate activist in Pakistan and recently represented her country at the ‘Youth4Climate’ conference.

She said: “In my judgement, women should be given more representation, rather than equal, in climate negotiations, as climate change impacts women more than men. 80% of people displaced by climate change are women. Flooding and drought impacts them more as they are the primary providers of food and fuel. 

“The disparity in socio-economic status between males and females means women have less resources to cope with the loss and damages resulting from the climate chaos.

“Given the disproportionate statistics, it is unwise to suggest women have a mere equal representation when they must have a higher representation as well as a guarantee that their voices will be heard.”