March 8th, 2024, marked a significant day at the Roomy Signature Hotel, Islamabad, as we commemorated International Women’s Day with the groundbreaking event, “Women in Climate Action: The event proved to be a great platform for women to stand out and be the pillars for sustainable development. The platform featured a panel of three brilliant women taking charge in the climate change domain and brought together 250 people from diverse backgrounds, including academia, the energy sector, and the development sector.
Opening Remarks: A Warm Welcome
The event started with cordial welcome remarks from Ms. Abeera Babar, representing Tameer-e-Khalaq Foundation. Alongside Ms. Ameera Adil, Head of Office of Sustainability at NUST, they discussed their project being conducted with UN Women on collecting the stories of women affected by the climate crisis. This introduction not only welcomed the attendees but also immediately highlighted the day’s theme: resilience and action on climate change to ensure a safe and sustainable future for all.
Bridging Leadership Gaps in Climate Action
The first session of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Ameera Adil. The Panel featured prominent figures such as Anam Rathore from GIZ, Maha Kamal from Women in Energy, and Zahra Babar from Islamic Relief Worldwide. The discussion explored a cardinal role played by women in bridging gaps present in climate action leadership. The panelists shared their diverse experiences and the unique challenges women face, followed by a dynamic Q&A session that allowed the audience to engage deeply with the topic.
Personal Stories of Resilience and Empowerment
The storytelling session became the medium through which members informed each other of their journeys and motivations that got them into the climate action arena. From the story of Ms. Ayesha Fayyaz who serves as an inspiring example of how compost-making can ensure economic sustainability to Ms. Khushbakht Munir Bhatti’s amazing account of her transition into environmental activism, every story left behind the essence of an individual’s contribution toward saving the planet. These narratives were not just personal success stories but were also a reason for women’s involvement in climate change action for a broader impact.
Recognizing Contributions and Looking Forward
The closing segment of the event was the celebration of achievements and call for action. The panelists and partner organizations were awarded recognition that celebrated their efforts towards climate action and women’s rights. The event ended with a speech by Dr. Rizwan Riaz, Pro-Rector of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC) at NUST, that highlighted the link between climate action and achieving gender equality.
Achievements and Outcomes
“Women in Climate Action: Celebrating Resilience” was not just a one-day event but rather a road map for future actions. The event highlighted women’s role in climate action, making the participants more aware of the issues and depicting different examples of how women can lead in this arena. The discussion, learning, and network developed during the event emphasized the need for inclusive strategies towards changing climate as well as prioritizing the participation and leadership of women.
As we go on, the event has already laid the foundation for partnership and more and more action. The day brought lessons of coming together as one and reminded us of the significance of every woman in the war of tackling climate issues. Let us keep the momentum of this event to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.
The author is Assistant Manager, at Office of Sustainability, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). He can be reached at am.sustainability.dev@nust.edu.pk.
