Water & Women: A Geneva Perspective

Background and Rationale

Gender equality and climate action are inextricably linked, particularly when it comes to water resources. Women and men access, manage, and benefit from water differently due to existing social structures, economic disparities, and legal constraints. Climate change further exacerbates these inequalities by increasing water scarcity, degrading water quality, and intensifying natural disasters, such as floods. While the interconnections between water and climate are widely acknowledged, the gender dimensions of these issues remain underexplored in international climate discussions.

As one of the biggest supporters of the multilateral water sector and as Co-Chair of the Climate-Gender Impact Group of the International Gender Champions in Geneva, Germany is committed to strengthening gender-responsive climate policies, including in water governance. To this end, the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations (UN) and other International Organisations in Geneva, in partnership with the International Gender Champions, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red  Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Costa Rica to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva and Climate Bridges, is convening a high-level "Climate Talk" focusing on "Water & Women: A Geneva Perspective". This event will be held on the margins of the Global workshop on increasing climate resilience with focus on floods and health on the transboundary and national levels, organised under the auspices of the UN Water Convention and its Protocol on Water and Health and the Convention’s Task Force on Water and Climate being held in Geneva from 19-21 March 2025. It will serve as a platform to enhance awareness, foster partnerships, and reinforce international commitments to gender equality in climate and water action.

Objectives

• Raise awareness of the gender dimensions in water-based climate action, showcasing research and policy approaches that integrate gender considerations.
• Facilitate dialogue between international organisations, policymakers, and civil society on the intersection of gender, water, and climate.
• Highlight best practices and existing initiatives that promote gender equality in water governance.
• Strengthen partnerships and de-silo activities among actors engaged in gender-responsive water and climate policies.

Logistics

Date: 20 March 2025
Time: 08:30 – 09:30 am
Venue: IFRC Auditorium, 6th floor (Chemin des Crêts 17, 1209 Geneva)

Agenda

08:30 -  Welcoming Remarks

• H.E. Nikola Gilhoff, Ambassador and Chargée d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva
• H.E. Christian Guillermet Fernández, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva

08:35 - Keynote speech

• Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

08:40 - Video message

• Retno L. P. Marsudi, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water

08:50 - Panel discussion: “Water and Women: A Geneva Perspective”
- moderated by H.E. Nikola Gilhoff

• Khulan Berger, Co-Director, Climate Bridges
• H.E. Christian Guillermet Fernández, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva
• H.E. Dr Salma Rasheed, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Republic of Maldives to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva
• Jonathan Stone, Manager, Climate, Environment and Resilience Unit, IFRC

09:20 - Virtual remarks

• Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights  and Climate Change
• Alejandra Nohora Quiguantar, IGC Youth Champion and Indigenous Leader for Climate Justice

09:25 - Closing

• H.E. Nikola Gilhoff, Ambassador and Chargée d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva

09:30 - END

*DISCLAIMER: Please note that this is a public event. In the public’s interest, photographs and media footage will be taken throughout this public event under the lawful basis of Legitimate Interest. Please inform the organisers if you have any concerns or if you wish to be exempted from these practices.