The theme of International Women's Day 2024 is “Investing in Women: Accelerating Progress” – A fitting theme for a year in which a clear plan to finance the global energy transition is key. topsIah The climate change talks scheduled for Azerbaijan are called the “Financial COP,” and climate change is also on the agenda. It is essential that these negotiations create a clear roadmap for international investment to finance the energy transition that is urgently needed for countries around the world, particularly in the Global South.
At this critical juncture in human history, women's leadership is more important than ever. Around the world, we are seeing inspiring women leaders who are changing the proverbial African story. “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, let's go together.”we lead communities to move quickly and stay at a distance to watch change come alive.
Hoang Thi Minh Hong is one such woman. A veteran activist whose work for more than 25 years has had an immeasurable impact on the environment in her native Vietnam and the global climate movement, Ms. Hong's leadership, courage and accomplishments have earned her awards and honors. It is over.
Hong became the first Vietnamese to set foot in Antarctica in 1997, and in 2018 was one of 12 “emerging civic leaders” from 12 countries who joined the first batch of Obama Scholars at Columbia University in New York City. He became a person.she was recognized forbes vietnam Among the 50 most influential Vietnamese women. Mr. Hong is a valued former colleague of 350.org. Before he founded the nonprofit organization CHANGE, he was on staff at 350.org. CHANGE is a youth-led movement that I founded after seeing the effects of climate change after my second visit. 12 years later, to the ice continent.
On May 31, 2023, Mr. Hong was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on false charges of tax evasion. The charge is a common one weaponized against outspoken environmental activists in the country. She was formally sentenced to three years in prison in September 2023, making her one of six environmental activists currently serving sentences in Vietnam for criticizing environmental policies. The injustice of these arrests sparked a global solidarity movement. 350.org, along with a coalition of partners, is calling for the immediate release of all climate change activists in Vietnam.
Hong's arrest comes just months after Vietnam signed a financing deal aimed at weaning off its dependence on coal and accelerating its transition to a renewable energy economy. This agreement was brokered with the invaluable advocacy of people like the Hon. Details of the Just Energy Transition Partnership Plan, which is primarily funded by the United States and a group of international partners, were further revealed with the release of Vietnam's statement during the United Nations climate change negotiations in Dubai last December. became. resource mobilization plan.
However, concerns about transparency surrounding Vietnam's JETP agreement are further exacerbated by the clear and alarming shrinkage of the country's democratic space. As public criticism of government policies becomes increasingly dangerous, fair and democratic participation in policy design and implementation becomes increasingly dangerous. Accountability. And the call for transparency is proving more urgent than ever.
In a 2022 interview, when asked about the relationship between climate change and gender equality, Hong talked about how women are actually more vulnerable to climate impacts. Research has repeatedly highlighted how women are bearing the disproportionate impact of accelerating climate change, which continues to plague societies around the world. This is a reality caused by inequality. As primary caregivers and providers of food and fuel, women are more likely to be at direct risk of climate-driven disasters such as droughts and floods; account for 80% Percentage of the world's population displaced by climate change.
However, this is only one side of the coin. On the flip side, women have always asserted their agency and demonstrated their readiness to drive change.As Mr. Hon said. “In Vietnam, women are taking a more active role in combating climate change.At my NGO, 75 percent of the team is girls at any given time.. And most of the founders and directors of environmental NGOs in Vietnam that I know are women. Women rock! we will save the world! ” Asked about ways to improve gender equality, Hong quoted GD Anderson. “Feminism is not about making women stronger. Women are already strong.It's about changing the way the world perceives its strength”.
Women's first-hand experience of climate impacts is Referenced This is one of the main factors influencing our suitability to take the lead against climate disruption and adapt to its impacts. But the truth is that women do not have this ability. because Of these direct experiences, in spite of.
Further progress in the area of gender inequality is essential if we are to advance the climate movement's unifying goal of a just, equitable and clean future. And as we move toward greater equality, we see women capitalize on and reshape historical oppression to add fuel to our fire. But more than that, the world is beginning to recognize the strength that has always existed. Women's aptitude for leadership is a central tenet of femininity itself and deserves to be celebrated every day.
Today and every day, join us in celebrating the amazing power of being a woman, especially today our dear comrade Hoang Thi Minh-Hong.
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