As the United Nations Climate Summit convenes in New York City this week, there is a call for women’s involvement and representation in the global dialogue on climate change. IPS News reports that of the 146 attendant national delegations, only seven were headed by women, prompting Oxfam Director Barbara Stocking to comment that “once again, women find themselves left out of the negotiations on issues that affect them the most.” With responsibilities such as collecting water, feeding families and tilling soil resting squarely on the shoulders of women, various climate activists argue that the female population has a vested interest in climate change and must participate accordingly in forming a response to the mounting global crisis.

In a statement, Finnish President Tarja Halonen attests to the need to involve women in negotiations:

“climate change hits most seriously the poorest regions and the weakest groups of people. Since about 70 percent of the world’s poor are women, they will suffer the most.”

Halonen went on to insist that “we need to ensure full and active participation of women in the making and in the implementation of the new deal.” With thousands gathered this week in New York to focus on the challenges presented by climate change, activists are urging that gender-perspectives and considerations be included in the formation of any global plan to address climate change.

ENVIRONMENT: Women on Front Lines of Climate Week- IPS News