Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and Spain along with knowledge partners Kubernein Initiative bring together the first of its kind conference “Collaborative Conversations Around Gender in Climate Action” Mumbai, India, Wednesday September 14, 2022: In continuation of the Feminist Foreign Policy Dialogue group, the Consulates of Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and Spain (countries that have a Feminist Foreign Policy) along with knowledge partners Kubernein Initiative held a half day conference on “Collaborative Conversations Around Gender in Climate Action”.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Smt. Ashwini Bhide, IAS, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs), experts from the academic and think tank community, as well as those closely involved with the Climate Action plan of the Government of Maharashtra. The event commenced with a welcome address by Hon. Diedrah Kelly, Consul General of Canada in Mumbai, who highlighted the importance of subnational diplomacy in the space of climate action to ensure that best practices with like-minded partners are shared and have positive multiplier effects.
In her opening remarks, Smt. Ashwini Bhide, IAS, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs), said “We need to understand the nuances of the impact of climate change on gender, and are open to learning. As part of the climate action plan, we need community and nature based solutions, and by involving women in climate action. More than 20% of the BMC’s net income is going towards women’s causes.” A dynamic ‘Ideas Exchange’ session followed, with Smt. Ashwini Bhide, IAS, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) and the Consuls General of Sweden, Canada, France, Germany, and Spain. This session saw the sharing of country specific experiences and engagement with key stakeholders from the city to discuss how integrating gender with climate action can strengthen policy impact overall.
The second half of the conference focused on the intersections of gender and climate action for Mumbai city, with a panel discussion on the Application of a Gender Lens in Climate Action. The panellists included; Mr. Sameer Unhale, State Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission, Maharashtra; Ms. Lubaina Rangwala, Program Head, Urban Development, Sustainable Cities & Transport, WRI, India; Mr Kamal Kumar Murari, Assistant Professor, Mumbai Campus, Chairperson, Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies, School of Habitat Studies, TISS. The panel was moderated by Ms Disha Shetty, Award
Winning Journalist with The Fuller Project.
The event came to a close following an invigorating question and answer session and a vibrant discussion amongst those present.
The report culminating from the event, can be downloaded here.
