This statement was submitted to the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Watch a video of the statement here.

Distinguished Delegates and Special Rapporteur,

I am Deepa Chandra and I am making this statement on behalf of the Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and partners.

We welcome your report, especially the recommendations that stresses on the need to “tackle gender-based discrimination and environmental injustices with urgent, gender-transformative, rights-based climate and environmental action” and for states to “respect human rights obligations, including those related to gender equality.”

Climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls in all their diversities. In the context of the climate crisis, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in particular, gets further deteriorated due to deprioritisation.

The right to clean, healthy and sustainable environment can empower girls to be self-sufficient in relation to their sexual and reproductive health and climate justice.

Therefore, our recommendations are:

• Inclusive and meaningful participation of most affected and marginalised communities in decisions related to climate change at all levels.
• Uphold SRHR and acknowledge its co-benefits in contributing to climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience to fulfill international commitments.
• Ensure that national policies, programming and budget related to climate change incorporate gender mainstreaming and SRHR
• Ensure businesses fulfill their corporate social responsibility so that they contribute to social justice including incentives for a shift to renewable energy

Thank you.