Imagine a coastal village where women, who have long been the stewards of land and water, are now fighting to protect not only their way of life but also the biodiversity of the planet.
At COP16 in Cali, Colombia, on October 30th 2024, this fight took center stage at the side event Women’s Land, Coastal, and Water Rights: From Global Commitments to Local Actions. A diverse coalition of women leaders, grassroots activists, and global experts came together with one clear message: women’s land, coastal, and water rights are pivotal to the survival of both people and ecosystems.
As global commitments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss begin to take shape, the question is no longer if we need gender-responsive actions, but how we turn these commitments into tangible, local solutions that uplift women and protect the planet.
This was the central theme of the session, which brought together distinguished experts and advocates whose work directly bridges the gap between global policy and grassroots action. Key speakers such as Rosalind Helfand (UN Women), Ana Di Pangracio (FARN), Eva Hershaw ( International Land Coalition (ILC)), Claudia Itarte-Lima (Raoul Wallenberg Institute), Ilse Pelkmans (TMG), and Joyce Koech (Wild Heart Kenya), along with moderator Sharon Ruthia (CBD Women’s Caucus), shared their insights on how to translate these global commitments into impactful change at the local level.
Reflections from the panel
Ms Rosalind Helfand, rerepresenting UN Women and the Feminist Action for Climate Justice Coalition, delivered a compelling address on the transformative power of securing women’s land and water rights. She emphasised, «The rights to water and land are critical to the realization of a range of human rights and for advancing gender equality. Yet evidence shows that these rights, resources, and the resilience of women and girls in all their diversity are disproportionately impacted by the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.»
Ms Joyce Koech, representing Wild Heart Kenya, highlighted the value of traditional knowledge and stressed the need for gender-inclusive decision-making, access to finance, and technical support to expand the impact of locally led initiatives. She shared an example from her work with coastal communities in Kenya, where women dependent on mangrove ecosystems have been marginalized. By collaborating with women to plant and protect mangroves, Ms Koech’s organisation not only supports these women to earn an income but also contributes to conserving the ecosystem.
Ms Claudia Itarte-Lima of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, discussed the importance of legal frameworks in protecting women’s land rights within the broader context of biodiversity and climate goals. She emphasised the need for a preventive approach to environmental and human rights violations, advocating for the empowerment of women environmental defenders. Claudia stressed the importance of integrating civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights into policies and highlighted the role of laws, accountability, institutional frameworks, and intergenerational perspectives in fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future. She concluded with actionable recommendations to support and protect women defenders globally.
Ms Claudia Itarte-Lima of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, discussed the importance of legal frameworks in protecting women’s land rights within the broader context of biodiversity and climate goals. She emphasised the need for a preventive approach to environmental and human rights violations, advocating for the empowerment of women environmental defenders. Claudia stressed the importance of integrating civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights into policies and highlighted the role of laws, accountability, institutional frameworks, and intergenerational perspectives in fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future. She concluded with actionable recommendations to support and protect women defenders globally.
Ms Ilse Pelkmans from TMG Think Tank for Sustainability explored the relationship between women’s tenure insecurity and biodiversity initiatives. She explained that women without formal tenure rights face challenges such as limited access to loans, difficulties investing in long-term projects like tree planting, and exclusion from biodiversity programs. Ilse also pointed out how biodiversity initiatives can negatively impact women’s land rights, causing potential conflicts within families as land becomes monetized. She introduced two important tools: the Haki Ardhi Tool, which allows women to report land rights violations, and the Human Rights for Land Navigator, which links land governance to human rights obligations and helps hold governments accountable.
Ms Ana Di Pangracio from Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN) and a board member of the CBD Women’s Caucus focused on the Global Biodiversity Framework’s (GBF) 30×30 target, which aims to conserve 30% of biodiversity-rich areas by 2030. She stressed the critical need for integrating social participation and a gender perspective into biodiversity governance, particularly to achieve the GBF’s ambitious targets. Ana emphasized that true success goes beyond creating protected areas and requires inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches to managing the remaining 70% of territories. She drew attention to gaps in national biodiversity strategies, where women and gender considerations are often overlooked despite the growing involvement of women’s organizations. Ana called for persistent efforts to address these gaps and for conservation policies that reflect the GBF’s commitment to human rights, with a central focus on women’s rights.
Amplifying local voices through visual narratives:
During the event there was a special moment when visual stories enriched the discussions by bringing real-life perspectives from local women on the frontlines of biodiversity conservation.
- Fisher women from coastal regions underscored the importance of addressing Marine tenure issues and embracing a human rights based approach in Marine and Coastal conservation efforts all within the framework.
- Indigenous women’s networks actively contribute in protecting marine ecosystems, emphasizing the need for inclusive conservation strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Centering Women’s Rights in Biodiversity Conservation:
Integrating gender justice and human rights into GBF implementation is critical to achieving sustainable outcomes. - Protecting Women Environmental Defenders:
Mechanisms like the Escazú Agreement must be operationalised to ensure the safety of women defenders, particularly in high-risk regions. - Inclusive Governance and Representation:
Women’s participation in decision-making processes is vital for effective and sustainable biodiversity policies. - Equitable Financing for Grassroots Initiatives:
Direct and flexible funding mechanisms must prioritise women-led and community-based projects. - Aligning Biodiversity and Climate Policies:
Policies must address both climate and biodiversity challenges, ensuring equitable outcomes for women and historically marginalised collectives.
A Call to Action
In her closing remarks, moderator Ms Sharon Ruthia member of the CBD Women’s Caucus called for collective accountability and collaboration, stating, «Women’s rights must be at the heart of biodiversity governance. Only by addressing systemic inequalities can we achieve a sustainable future for all.»
The session served as a powerful reminder of the urgency to transform global commitments into local actions. By recognising and elevating women’s rights, knowledge, and leadership, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and resilient approach to biodiversity conservation.
