Gender equality is crucial for effective and fair outcomes at COP30

Women and girls, in all their diversity, are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. At the same time, they often take the lead in developing and implementing climate solutions. It is therefore essential that gender equality and women’s rights are placed at the heart of the outcomes of the upcoming climate summit (COP30). 

With this message, WO=MEN will travel to the annual climate summit in November. We will do so together with our members: ActionAid Netherlands, BothENDS, CARE Netherlands, De Jonge Klimaatbeweging, Mercy Corps Netherlands, Milieudefensie, Mondiaal FNV, New Women Connectors, Oxfam Novib, Simavi and WECF. 

In preparation for the conference, we worked with 16 other organisations to define our priorities for ensuring climate justice at COP30. Together, we are calling on the Netherlands to continue advocating for gender equality as a cross‑cutting theme in all climate negotiations, and to support the development of a new, ambitious Gender Action Plan (GAP). The GAP must strengthen the rights of women, girls and other groups in vulnerable positions, guarantee their participation in decision‑making, and provide financial support to feminist and women‑led organisations. It is also essential that the negotiation process itself is accessible, safe and inclusive for civil society organisations and marginalised groups.