Jemimah Njuki: Gender equality key to climate justice

Gender equality is the key to climate justice, and it's important to ensure funding for organizations specializing in this area, Jemimah Njuki, Chief of the Economic Empowerment section at UN Women, said during a press conference at COP29 in Baku, Report informs.

Gender equality and climate change are closely interconnected, she noted, adding that climate justice cannot be achieved without gender justice.

According to her, climate change also leads to an increase in gender-based violence cases.

As entire families are starving and in need of food, there is an increase in early and forced marriages among young girls, she said. Njuki noted that, according to their analysis, in the worst-case scenario, by 2050, 236 million women and girls will be undernourished, and 158 million will be living below the poverty line.

This is unacceptable, she said.

Njuki emphasized that funding should be directed towards eliminating gender inequality and supporting civil society organizations working towards a sustainable future.

She said it is also necessary ensure that financial resources reach civil society organizations, women, indigenous peoples, feminist movements, and youth organizations that work every day to make the planet habitable for all people.