This oral statement was delivered live at the General Discussion of the 66th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on behalf of 43 civil society organisations from the Global South, including ARROW’s partners. Watch a live recording of the statement.

Thank you.

I am making this statement on behalf of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and 43 civil society organisations from the Global South. We welcome the priority theme of the 66th Session of the Commission.

Asia and the Pacific region is at the forefront of experiencing the impact of climate change and the resulting disasters. Studies by ARROW and partners in the region reveal the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women, young people and non-binary persons. The impact of climate change is not gender-neutral. Existing structural and social inequalities, of which gender inequality is foremost, are amplified during climate change and climate disasters. The capacity and vulnerability of women and girls vary depending on age, ethnicity, marital and socio-economic status, minority status and educational levels.

The four parameters of justice – equity, access, participation, rights are deeply skewed against women and girls during climate change. Equity to claim resources is hampered. Access to education and health services and other social services is compromised. Our participation in decision-making – at household, community and national levels is not fully realised. Across all countries, women and girls have not been granted our full rights, and as such the institutions and structures of society are still underpinned by patriarchal norms.

In particular, sexual and reproductive health and rights deteriorate further in the context of climate change. A reversion to early age marriage, rise in sexual and gender-based violence, increase in care burden at the household level are realities for women and girls. Even the key SRHR services – contraceptives, safe abortion services, maternal health and delivery services, comprehensive sexuality education – are largely missing in the current environment and climate discourses. The gender-specific needs of women and young people in all our diversities to adapt and build resilience to climate change have been deprioritised.

With this, we call on Member States to take the following key actions:

• Recognise that gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to development, environmental sustainability and achievement of the SDGs, Beijing Platform for Action and ICPD PoA;
• Uphold SRHR and acknowledge its co-benefits in contributing to climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience;
• Recognise women in all our diversities as agents of change and ensure our meaningful participation in the planning, financing and implementation of climate responses including in mitigation and adaptation initiatives at all levels, at all times;
• Ensure that national policies, programming and budget related to climate change and disaster risk reduction incorporate gender mainstreaming and SRHR and include gender-differentiated impact analysis of climate change disasters and gender equality.

Endorsing organisations:

1. Asia-Pacific Climate Project
2. Association of Youth NGOs in Nepal (AYON), Nepal
3. BAPSA, Bangladesh
4. Beyond Beijing Committee Nepal
5. Blue Diamond Society, Nepal
6. CDS Park, Mugu, Nepal
7. Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP), Vietnam
8. Centre for Social Policy Development, Pakistan
9. The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), Philippines
10. Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP)
11. End FC Singapore
12. Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Nepal (FSGMN), Nepal
13. Gravity Development Organisation, Pakistan
14. Hope for Women, Maldives
15. Indonesian Red Cross (PMI)
16. Justice for Sisters (JFS), Malaysia
17. Kalyanamitra, Indonesia
18. Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society (LEDARS), Bangladesh
19. Love Matters India
20. Musawah
21. Naripokkho, Bangladesh
22. Perkumpulan Lintas Feminis Jakarta (Jakarta Feminist), Indonesia
23. Pamflet Generasi, Indonesia
24. Pravah, India
25. Participatory Research & Action Network (PRAAN), Bangladesh
26. Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC)
27. Rutgers Indonesia
28. SAHAYOG, India
29. Sanggar SWARA, Indonesia
30. Shelter Participatory Organization (SPO), Pakistan
31. Shirkat Gah Women’s Resource Centre, Pakistan
32. Sisters in Islam, Malaysia
33. Turning Point Foundation Bangladesh
34. University of Health Sciences, Lao PDR
35. Visible Impact, Nepal
36. WeSpeakOut, India
37. Wreetu Health and Well-Being Foundation, Bangladesh
38. Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF), Bangladesh
39. Yayasan Kesehatan Perempuan (YKP), Indonesia
40. Youth Association for Development (YAD), Pakistan
41. Youth Interfaith and Forum on Sexuality (YIFoS), Indonesia
42. YUWA, Nepal
43.  Yuwalaya, Nepal