We can no longer afford to keep women and marginalized groups on the sidelines as the climate crisis continues to worsen and impact people and ecosystems in ways that are becoming increasingly irreversible. Climate-resilient, low-carbon development must be inclusive, where gender equality and social inclusion efforts are not an add-on, but a necessity. It is time to go beyond incremental gains towards truly transformative changes for both the planet and the women, men, and marginalized groups on it. It is time to engage with women as leaders and decision-makers in climate action planning in order to achieve the most inclusive, thoughtful, and sustainable climate outcomes possible.
At the CIF, we are committed to enhancing the inclusion of marginalized groups—women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, and people with disabilities. We acknowledge intersectionality and look at how gender-based discrimination can converge with other processes of exclusion, which can further exacerbate vulnerabilities to climate change impacts. The CIF Gender Action Plan, now in its third phase, is committed to supporting gender equality and social inclusion across all CIF programs. Moving forward, CIF will advance development outcomes for women and marginalized groups in every new project from start to finish.
It's exciting to see the Climate Investment Funds innovating and going beyond gender mainstreaming to a gender transformation approach.