ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of France, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, the Delegation of the European Union, the French Development Agency (AFD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC) on Wednesday organized a ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Gender Climate Award to honor the significant contributions of Pakistani women in climate action.
The aim of the award is to recognize women’s dedication, leadership, and tangible initiatives in combating climate change and its impacts across three categories: climate action, green enterprise, and young climate journalism.
The proud winners of the Pakistan Gender Climate Award 2024 were announced as follows: Qandeel Rehman (Climate Action), Umbreen Arif (Green Enterprise), and Khalida Niaz (Young Climate Journalism). Each winner was presented with a trophy and a cash prize of PKR 1.2 million to multiply their work and deepen the intersection between gender and climate in their respective fields.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, diplomats, civil society representatives, academics, youth, and media personnel, the ceremony garnered significant attention.
Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, commended the initiative, pledging her support to advance the gender-climate agenda. In her address, she emphasized the pivotal role of women in driving change and expressed confidence in their capabilities.
Nicolas Galey, the Ambassador of France, expressed delight in the collaboration with other esteemed partners for the Gender Climate Award, highlighting its global significance amidst the challenges posed by climate change. Similarly, EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka underscored the crucial role of women in addressing climate issues and emphasized the importance of investing in female leadership.
Muhammad Sultan AlKaitoob, Deputy Head of Mission at the UAE Embassy, stressed the urgency of action in light of the adverse impact of climate change on women’s lives and livelihoods. He emphasized the UAE’s commitment to gender equality and its role in achieving sustainable development goals.
Samuel Rizk, the Resident Representative of UNDP, commended the winners for their exemplary work and encouraged them to inspire others. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to bring about meaningful change.
Senator Sherry Rehman highlighted the interconnectedness of climate and women’s issues, stressing the importance of empowering women to lead efforts towards resilience. She called for the expansion of such events to inspire more women to engage in climate action.
The nationwide call for applications for the Gender Climate Award received a strong response, reflecting growing awareness and participation.
Aisha Khan from CSCCC expressed hope for continued momentum in promoting women’s involvement in climate action.
The three award winners expressed gratitude for the recognition, viewing it as an opportunity to inspire others and reaffirm their determination to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
