In brief
At the ongoing COP29 climate summit, the Vatican has joined forces with several nations to impede progress on women's rights discussions, arguing against gender language amid concerns about LGBTQ+ recognition. Advocates warn this deadlock threatens critical financial aid for women facing climate challenges.
The Vatican's influence at the UN COP29 climate summit has stirred controversy as it, alongside nations including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, and Egypt, has stalled crucial discussions focusing on women's rights in the context of climate change. Reports indicate that representatives from these countries have actively blocked a proposed deal aimed at bolstering support for women, who the UN recognizes as disproportionately affected by climate impacts, due to apprehensions regarding the inclusion of transgender and gay women in the dialogue.Colombia's environment minister, Susana Muhamad, expressed her frustration about the Vatican's objection, labeling the move as "unacceptable" and emphasizing the importance of the gender-focused agenda in addressing the urgent realities faced by women in climate-affected regions. Recent data predicts that by 2050, nearly 240 million more women and girls will encounter food insecurity due to climate change, compared to 131 million more men and boys—a stark gender disparity often overlooked in climate funding strategies, which currently allocate a meager 0.01% to projects addressing these specific issues.In the ongoing negotiations, Latin American countries have sought to update the decade-old Lima Work Programme on Gender, reaffirming that the experiences of women are diverse and influenced by factors such as gender, age, and race. However, the Vatican and its conservative allies have rejected any references to "gender" for fear that it could signify a recognition of transgender rights, with some member nations like Iran outright refusing to acknowledge the existence of LGBTQ+ individuals, reflecting a broader global trend against such rights.This pushback is met with dismay by various charities, with Sostina Takure from ACT Alliance conveying her shock at the Vatican's stance, which now seems to oppose human rights language that has not been contested in previous discussions. The current deadlock sees critical time running out, as only a few days remain for negotiators to agree on a new plan dedicated to supporting women facing the impactions of climate change.Women continue to bear the brunt of climate-related adversities, particularly those in vulnerable positions, such as primary caregivers needed to adapt their livelihoods amidst increasing climate crises. With only 36% of last year’s conference negotiators being women, there’s growing concern that the outcomes of COP29 may not reflect the realities faced by those most affected by climate change.The call for women's empowerment and acknowledgement of diverse female experiences in this crisis remains strong. An EU-led letter backed by 17 countries argues that combating climate change is intimately tied to the commitment to uplift women's rights in all their diversity. Without a revised gender-inclusive framework, the legacy of COP29 could result in a significant setback for pan-global efforts to address climate change through a gender-conscious lens.
