International Women's Day 2022 Virtual Forum

Advancing gender equality in the context of climate crisis, disaster risk and resilience is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. Addressing climate change and achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment are part of Malaysia’s pledges for its membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024. They are also very much embedded in the Twelfth Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 themed A Prosperous, Inclusive, Sustainable Malaysia and Budget 2022 that are closely aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on natural resources for their wellbeing and livelihood, which is currently under serious threat from climate change.

At the same time, women and girls are effective and powerful agents of change to find and execute solutions to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. They are involved in sustainability initiatives around the world, and their active participation and leadership are resulting in more effective climate actions.

Continuing the effort to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability and by ensuring greater understanding of the constraints and opportunities is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future, and an equal future, remains beyond our reach.

The global theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.

IWD 2022 is about recognizing the contributions of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a more sustainable future for all.

The theme for International Women’s Day is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 66th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66): “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes”.

In line with the IWD 2022 theme, the forum will discuss pathways towards a more sustainable Malaysia, recognizing the rights of women and girls, and the importance of their participation and leadership to ensure a more sustainable future for all. The forum will highlight how women and girls are more exposed to climate and disaster risks, and how policies and laws should be more equitable and gender responsive to contribute to a more inclusive climate change response.

Objectives

The main objectives of the IWD 2022 Forum are as follows:

• To commemorate International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March annually;
• To promote awareness on the adverse impacts of climate change on women and girls;
• To promote empowerment of all women and girls in finding solutions to climate crisis and disaster risks;
• To promote the spirit of cooperation and exchange among different stakeholders, particularly the Government, academia, NGOs, civil society and private sector.

Focus Areas

In line with the IWD 2022 theme, the forum will discuss pathways towards a more sustainable Malaysia, recognizing the rights of women and girls, and the importance of their participation and leadership to ensure a more sustainable future for all. The forum will highlight how women and girls are more exposed to climate and disaster risks, and how policies and laws should be more equitable and gender responsive to contribute to a more inclusive climate change response.