April 24, 2025
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Dhaka

Gender-transformative climate actions in Bangladesh stressed

The dialogue came on the heels of the UN climate summit COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where, despite mixed outcomes, significant progress was made in the area of gender justice

Experts and climate advocates have emphasised the need to align gender-responsive policies with locally-led actions in the country while highlighting the importance over evidence-based policymaking, advocating for capacity building and knowledge sharing to foster inclusive participation.

The calls came in a post-COP29 dialogue on gender and climate change was held in Dhaka on Saturday, when the speakers focused on advancing gender-transformative climate actions in Bangladesh.

Non-government organisation, Simavi, organised the event in partnership with YouthNet Global, the Climate Communicators Community-Bangladesh, and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD).

Key stakeholders joined the event to explore actionable steps for strengthening the nation’s climate initiatives.

Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, deputy head of cooperation and First Secretary (Environment and Climate Change) at the Embassy of Sweden, said that gender equality at all levels is not just a goal; it is a necessity for effective climate action.

“Sweden supported updating the Climate Change Action Plan or ccGAP which guides the integration of gender in key sectors such agriculture, water resources and food security, disaster risk reduction and management, social protection and local infrastructure development,” she said.

“We need more collaboration between the government and CSOs to ensure effective implementation,” the envoy said, reaffirming Sweden’s commitment to gender justice in climate initiatives.

YouthNet Global Executive Coordinator Sohanur Rahman, also a Young Activist Summit 2024 Laureate, said: “Mobilising and investing in youth- and women-led initiatives is critical for driving meaningful change in climate action.

“At the same time, we must strengthen the capacity of local actors, including government departments, to ensure these efforts are effective and sustainable.”

One of the key recommendations from the dialogue was to continue discussions on gender and climate change at local levels, including cities and municipalities. This approach aims to ensure that gender-responsive actions reach vulnerable communities and foster inclusive participation.

Participants expressed optimism that these efforts will contribute to global climate justice discussions, with the recommendations feeding into the UNFCCC negotiations.

The dialogue came on the heels of the UN climate summit COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where, despite mixed outcomes, significant progress was made in the area of gender justice.

The extension of the Lima Gender Work Programme (LWPG) for another decade marked a pivotal moment, recognizing the role of men and boys as critical agents in achieving gender-responsive climate action for the first time.

This shift calls for greater involvement of men and boys in supporting gender equality and empowering women and girls in the fight against climate change.

The speakers focused on implementing Bangladesh’s ccGAP, which was submitted earlier in 2024.

The ccGAP outlines six priority areas: natural resources, livelihoods, infrastructure and settlements, women’s leadership and participation, gender-responsive means of implementation and capacity building, and knowledge management and communication.

Stakeholders discussed strategies to address these areas, paving the way for preparations for the upcoming 62nd Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) session in June 2025, which will discuss a new gender action plan under the enhanced LWPG framework.

ICCCAD Gender Analyst Jannat Ara Shifa, Simavi Regional Coordinator Jyotiraj Patra, climate communicator Farah Anzum and BRAC University C3ER Assistant Director Roufa Khanum were among the key speakers.

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