By Leimor Penjeuli
On this International Women’s Day 2025, I wanted to reflect on the voices of women and youth across the globe, particularly those in the Pacific, and the value they bring to climate action. Within the Climate Finance Capacity Support Programme (CFCSP), we recognise that strong climate action is dependent on listening and advocating for inclusive decision-making.
We must include women and youth in climate action
As women and youth can be disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change, it is important to ensure they, and other marginalised groups, have a voice in climate decision-making and action. We see that women and girls often face more economic and social barriers, and they have specific needs that make it harder for them to recover from disasters, food shortages and displacement.
When we exclude women and girls from climate decision-making and do not create space for them to be part of the solution, inequalities and barriers to inclusion worsen; women and youth are unable to identify and access resources for them to adapt and thrive within their communities. With deep, valuable knowledge – including of sustainable farming, water conservation and community resilience – the exclusion of women and youth from climate-oriented decision-making means communities miss out on effective, localised climate solutions.
Furthermore, as climate change exacerbates their vulnerabilities, including increased risks to gender-based violence and economic hardship, it is now more important than ever to amplify the voices of women and build on broader social equality and inclusion in our work.
Strong communities involve women and youth
Through my experience with the International Federation of Red Cross, UN Women and other programmes in the Pacific, I have witnessed first-hand how women, youth and marginalised groups are subject to further barriers to inclusion after climate disasters, and therefore advocate for gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) practices within the CFCSP.
As a result of tropical cyclones impacting several Pacific countries, I have seen inequalities arise in evacuation centers. Whilst it seems a given to have shelters with separate spaces for women and girls, that cater for youth, and are accessible for persons with disabilities, disaster responses in the Pacific have not always considered gender equality to the extent needed. Reports of gender-based violence, no or poor access to food rations and dignity kits for women and girls, and other gender-based inequalities from these shelters demonstrates the lack of equal opportunities and access. One thing I know, from witnessing these inequalities, is when women and youth are part of the process and have an involvement in decision-making that directly affects them, communities recover faster, together.
I have also worked on a programme that supported a study on the cost of intimate partner violence in the Solomon Islands and Republic of the Marshall Islands. It was eye-opening to see not only what women go through, but also understand the financial costs that result from violence. From seeking assistance from essential services to travelling to safe centres, seeking legal counsel, doctors’ fees, and generally missing work and therefore a loss of family income and necessities. The study in the Solomon Islands revealed that USD 536,801 is spent annually by women seeking services from intimate partner violence. With disasters and climate change increasing vulnerabilities for women and girls in the Pacific, the disruption of essential services (such as health care, legal aid and shelters) severely limits their access to these life-saving services.
Striving for gender equality in climate action
Now, as the Capacity Building Officer and the GEDSI lead for the CFCSP, I am working to ensure our GEDSI Strategy and Action Plan is implemented across the programme, starting with the CFCSP Implementation Team and also through GEDSI-focused support to our personnel working across the Pacific. Through our GEDSI Strategy and Action Plan, the CFCSP upholds the objective that ‘no-one is left behind’ and we encourage our team and our partners to consider the voices of women and youth in all our programme decision-making.
The CFCSP Implementation Team and our personnel working across the Pacific are undergoing GEDSI training, alongside ensuring GEDSI actions are included in all position descriptions and are monitored and reported on. Beyond including GEDSI actions for each of our capacity support roles, the CFCSP continues to review and consider how we might increase gender equality within Pacific climate initiatives, including our current work assisting the finalisation and implementation of a Gender Policy Framework for the National Transport Fund in the Solomon Islands. Gender considerations are a prerequisite for climate finance through the Green Climate Fund, and our GEDSI consultant’s work in the Solomon Islands will include training and capacity development to ensure the integration of the policy, alongside supports for wider GEDSI considerations.
In my role with the CFCSP, I feel I am in a space where I can do more, and I aim to do more, for women and youth to increase gender equality and inclusion. I am an agent of change.
Alongside the CFCSP, we must continue to support women and youth across the Pacific to amplify and support their voice through deliberate action such as this year’s United Nations International Women’s Day campaign, and use stories and messages like #ForAllWomenAndGirls to spark dialogue and inspire action.
I, and the broader CFCSP team, acknowledge the opportunities we have been blessed with and understand that women and youth in the Pacific continue to go through challenges to equality and inclusion alongside the impacts of climate change. I have seen resilience in women that, when given the right space and offered the opportunity to be included in crucial decision-making, will only help strengthen communities. It is through a combination of our GEDSI principles and the work the CFCSP supports where we can collaborate, learn and understand what an inclusive climate-focused future may hold. In targeting climate funding that is inclusive of women and youth in the Pacific and endorses GEDSI-led initiatives, the CFCSP hopes to leave a lasting impact.
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Words by Leimor Penjueli, Capacity Building Officer
Supported by the CFCSP Communications Team.
Feature image: Leimor and the ladies of the Women United Together at their team retreat in Enemanit Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 2023.