Vatican Blocks Women’s Rights Discussions at COP29 Over Gender Issues

The Vatican has joined forces with conservative nations to block discussions on women’s rights at COP29, hindering progress on essential support for women facing climate challenges. Despite the acknowledgment of women’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, recent interventions have stalled critical agreements, raising concerns over ongoing support for gender-responsive climate actions.

The Vatican has instigated a significant impasse at the ongoing UN climate summit (COP29) in Azerbaijan by blocking discussions surrounding women’s rights, particularly in relation to gender and sexual orientation issues. Sources indicate that representatives from the Vatican, allied with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, and Egypt, have objected to a proposal aimed at improving support for women affected by climate change, despite growing evidence that women represent a staggering 80% of those displaced by climate crisis.

This situation arises in the context of an ongoing climate emergency that disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly in terms of food security and access to reproductive health services during climate disasters. The existing UN action plan—known as the Lima Work Programme—has long recognized women’s unique challenges, yet the Vatican’s recent consortium with conservative nations marks a departure from prior agreements to address gender issues comprehensively within climate strategies.

The clash over gender rights at COP29 highlights the intricate intersection of climate policy and human rights, particularly as it pertains to marginalized groups. With negotiations stalled, advocates emphasize the necessity of integrating women’s experiences into climate action agendas, warning that failure to do so may exacerbate existing vulnerabilities faced by women in climate-affected areas.

Original Source: www.bbc.com