There is a need to ensure that women are not left behind - Vuniwaqa

There is a need to ensure that women are not left behind in the strive towards a net‑zero emission world and with the emergence of exciting new and innovative technologies and industries.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa in her last side event at the United Nations 62nd session of the Commission in the Status of Women in New York.

Vuniwaqa stressed the importance of getting the voice of rural woman heard in international negotiation processes and also touched on the importance of gender inclusion in Nationally Determined Contributions.

She says there is also a need to strengthen efforts to bring the views and issues of our rural women into the climate negotiations space and this can only be possible through an inclusive participatory process.

Vuniwaqa highlighted that there needs to be closer connectivity between the sectoral focal points and the gender groups at all levels, from the negotiators to on the ground implementors.