International women leaders convened a press conference to discuss feminist and women-led visions for a healthy, equitable future. They shared insights from global movements, examined the impacts of international climate policies, and proposed strategies and alternatives.

Speakers included Neema Namadamu (DRC), Casey Camp Horinek (USA), Anne Songole (FEMNET, Kenya), Taily Terena (Brazil), and Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).

Facing escalating climate and ecological crises, humanity seeks a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth, where human rights do not extend to dominating nature. The Rights of Nature movement offers a systemic solution, rapidly growing globally.

A recent press conference showcased how this framework protects biodiverse ecosystems, Indigenous sovereignty, and human rights. Advocates from organizations like WECAN and Health of Mother Earth Foundation shared insights.

During the event, a White Paper on the Legal Rights of Nature Framework, co-authored by WECAN, Movement Rights, and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN), was released. Read the report here.

Global movements are addressing the escalating climate crisis, with women and gender-diverse leaders amplifying their voices in response to COP27. This event featured direct reports from the negotiations, sharing critical insights, report releases, and urgent calls to action, alongside global women's demands, struggles, and solutions.

The diverse panel included leaders from Indigenous communities, youth activists, and environmental organizations worldwide. Representatives from groups like DIVA for Equality, Reacción Climática, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, The Chisholm Legacy Project, Amazon Watch, and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) offered vital perspectives from most affected peoples and areas.

At a COP27 UN Side Event, "Women for Climate Justice" convened grassroots, frontline, and Indigenous women leaders with international climate justice organizations. They addressed the root causes of interlocking crises, advocating for solutions rooted in a climate justice framework.

Discussions highlighted crucial areas like forest and biodiversity protection, Indigenous rights, agro-ecology, and fossil fuel resistance. Speakers emphasized safeguarding women land defenders and promoting community-led solutions, showcasing diverse global leadership in climate action.

A COP27 press conference, "Accelerating a Feminist Green New Deal," highlighted the necessity of a cross-cutting approach to the climate crisis, firmly rooted in feminist principles and actively combating historical oppressions.

Organized by the Feminist Green New Deal Coalition, with WECAN as a founding member, the event featured speakers who discussed vital feminist policies and frameworks. These discussions aimed to advance just climate policies, emphasizing the integral role of feminist perspectives in effective climate action.

Indigenous women from the Amazon, leading global and local movements, issued urgent calls to action at a COP27 press conference. They highlighted ongoing efforts to protect their communities and territories from governments and corporations violating Indigenous and human rights through harmful extractive projects.

Speakers, including Sônia Bone Guajajara (Federal Deputy of Brazil) and Patricia Gualinga (Spokeswoman for Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva), demanded stronger Indigenous rights, forest and water protection, and global climate action.

Women leaders are developing critical strategies for national and international divestment from fossil fuels and deforestation. They advocate for a Just Transition, demanding accountability from financial sectors and governments to prioritize people and the planet.

During a WECAN press conference at COP27, speakers shared vital reports and strategies to end the fossil fuel era, support impacted communities, and address Indigenous rights. Featured speakers included Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Indigenous Climate Action), Tzeporah Berman (Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty), Leila Salazar-López (Amazon Watch), and Osprey Orielle Lake (Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)).

This event convened diverse women and gender-diverse leaders from grassroots to global levels, alongside advocates and policymakers. They shared insights on the climate crisis, COP27, and strategies for advancing just, community-led solutions to interlocking global challenges.

Notable speakers included Jacqui Patterson (The Chisholm Legacy Project), Diana Duarte (MADRE), Farhana Yamin (Chatham House), and Jade Begay (NDN Collective), who also served as moderator and is WECAN's Executive Director.

The event was part of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) three-day Climate Justice Forum, "Facing the Climate Emergency on the Road to COP27," held September 20-22.

On Earth Day 2023, WECAN is releasing a new video. It highlights global women leaders advocating against extraction and deforestation.

These leaders champion Indigenous and human rights, promoting vital community-led climate solutions.

The "Women for Climate Justice Leading Protection of Water" event, a formal side event of the UN Water Conference in New York City, addressed climate change impacts on global water. Grassroots leaders, water protectors, and international policy experts shared solutions and strategies for protecting aquatic ecosystems within a climate justice framework.

WECAN submitted a commitment and released a Call to Action, urging governments to improve water protection through a rights-based approach and by ensuring women's leadership. Read the Call to Action here. Additional event links and resources are available here.

WECAN is excited to announce the new Ponca Earthen Lodge Project for Food Sovereignty in Ponca Nation, Oklahoma. This vital initiative, led by Indigenous Ponca elder Casey Camp-Horinek and the Women's Society, addresses the escalating climate crisis and severe fossil fuel pollution impacting the region.

The traditional Earthen Lodge will provide a safe haven during extreme weather and climate disasters. It will also offer space to grow and store traditional foods using generational Indigenous knowledge, support cultural ceremonies, and address rising domestic violence.

Stay updated and learn more about the program here: https://wecaninternational.org/earthen-lodge-project

Indigenous women leaders will discuss the impacts of fossil fuels, deforestation, and the climate crisis on their communities. They will showcase their solutions, traditional knowledge systems, and efforts to uphold Indigenous rights while advancing policies for care and climate justice.

This UNPFII side event features two panels of global Indigenous women. Panel One includes Ruth Łchav’aya K’isen Miller, Yasso Kanti Bhattachan, Claire Charlo, and Xiye Bastida. Panel Two features Josefina Tunki, President Whitney Gravelle, Michelle Woodhouse, and Majo Andrade Cerda. Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director, will moderate.

At a virtual event parallel to the UNPFII, Indigenous women leaders from North America highlighted their critical role in defending biodiversity, human rights, and the global climate. They advocated for Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

Speakers urged global governments and financial institutions to respect Indigenous knowledge, ways of life, and the right to say "no" to continued extraction. They stressed that this is paramount for addressing climate and environmental crises, presenting solutions grounded in Indigenous expertise for protecting communities and Mother Earth.

LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

This virtual event, a formal side event of Escazú COP2 in 2023, convened women environmental and human rights defenders, policymakers, and feminist advocates.

Participants highlighted the challenges women face in securing human and Indigenous rights, accessing information, public participation, and justice, and protecting their lands and communities. They also explored opportunities presented by the Escazú Agreement.

The virtual event, "Global Voices and Women-Led Calls to Action in Response to COP28," took place on Sunday, December 10, 2023. During COP28, WECAN hosted this series to amplify the diverse voices of women leaders worldwide.

Throughout the conversation, women on the ground at COP28 reported on negotiations, shared highlights, released reports, and presented global women's calls to action and demands.

WECAN hosted a press conference at COP28 on December 6, 2023, titled "Rights of Nature: A Systemic Solution to the Climate Crisis." This event showcased diverse women leaders and introduced the Rights of Nature as a new legal and economic framework for living in balance with Earth's natural systems.

Presenters shared successes from the Rights of Nature movement, illustrating its potential to defend biodiversity, communities, and our climate. Speakers included Nnimmo Bassey (Health of Mother Earth Foundation), Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador), and Osprey Orielle Lake (WECAN Executive Director).

During COP28 on December 2, 2023, WECAN and the Feminist Green New Deal (FemGND) Coalition co-hosted a press conference titled "Accelerating Feminist Solutions to the Climate Crisis." This event highlighted diverse women leaders globally, with WECAN being a founding member of FemGND.

Speakers addressed the climate crisis's root causes, emphasizing the vital role of feminist principles in a Just Transition. They advocated for feminist policies and frameworks essential for advancing equitable climate action, focusing on the United States with global relevance. Representatives from the FemGND Coalition were among the speakers.

During COP28, WECAN hosted a press conference featuring Indigenous women leaders from the Amazon. They powerfully mobilized for urgent action to protect Indigenous rights and biodiversity, advocating for their communities and the global climate.

Speakers, including Célia Xakriabá and Fany Kuiru Castro, called for robust advocacy to safeguard Amazonian forests, water, and communities. Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN's Executive Director, also addressed the conference.

During COP28, the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) hosted a series of events, amplifying the diverse voices of women leaders globally. A key press conference, "Women Leading Fossil Fuel Phaseout and A Just Transition," took place on December 9, 2023.

At this event, women leaders presented vital reports and critical strategies to advance a fossil fuel phaseout and accelerate a Just Transition. Discussions focused on supporting communities and ecosystems impacted by extractive industries and addressing human and Indigenous rights violations. Speakers included Tzeporah Berman, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, and Osprey Orielle Lake.

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events to amplify the diverse voices of women leaders globally. A key event was the "Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions" press conference, held on December 10, 2023.

At the conference, international women leaders discussed the impacts of global climate policies and stressed the urgent need for transformative strategies. They advocated for solutions to address the climate crisis and advance a just transition, featuring prominent activists and advocates from Brazil, South Africa, USA, and Samoa.