Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow

International Women’s Day is on March 8

The UN International Women’s Day (IWD 2022) theme on March 8 is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

The UN recognizes the contribution of women and girls worldwide, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, building a more sustainable future for all.

Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the most significant global challenges. The issues of climate change and sustainability have had and will continue to have severe and lasting impacts on our environment, economic and social development.

The most vulnerable are the poor. Women are increasingly being recognized as more susceptible to climate change impacts than men. They constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources that climate change threatens the most.

At the same time, women and girls are effective and influential leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. They are involved in sustainability initiatives worldwide, and their participation and leadership result in more effective climate action.

Continuing to examine the opportunities and constraints to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in climate change and sustainability decision-making is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future and an equal future remain beyond our reach.

The United Nations observance of International Women’s Day under the theme, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow,” will be marked by a high-level virtual (TBC) event on March 8, 2022, 10 –11.30 a.m. (EST).

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of the General Assembly, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Executive Director of UN Women, and gender equality and climate change activists and celebrities, will participate in the event. The event will be followed by a high-level panel discussion and musical performances.

The theme for International Women’s Day is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 66th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66): “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programs.”