Conference on gender, intersectionality and climate change held at NUST

Islamabad:An overwhelming number of academics, policymakers, development workers and activists converged on the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) to attend a conference on ‘Gender, Intersectionality & Climate Change: From Scientific Evidence to Action.’

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the conference highlighted the critical need for equitable climate policies that address the unique challenges facing women and marginalised communities. GICC featured panel discussions, case studies, and an interactive exhibition showcasing innovative approaches to gender-responsive climate governance.

The event kick-started with a powerful opening statement by Jan Kühn von Burgsdorff, First Secretary of German Embassy, stressing the importance of gender inclusion in climate policies and Germany's support for Pakistan’s efforts to achieve the desired objectives.

Dr Osman Hasan, Pro-Rector Academics NUST, delivered the closing remarks. He emphasised the need for empowering women and ensuring their equal participation in climate decision-making, which could lead to more effective and equitable solutions in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Leading experts at the conference highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and marginalised communities.

Dr Nausheen Hafeeza Anwar, Director & Founder of the Karachi Urban Lab at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, underscored the need for inclusive decision-making in climate governance. Dr Sauleha Kamal from the University of York and Dr Muhammad Sajjad, from the University of Hong Kong, provided important insights into the gendered aspects of climate adaptation and the vulnerability of disaster-prone areas.

Complementing the insightful discussions, the conference featured an art and photo exhibition, showcasing visual representations of how climate change impacts different communities, particularly women. A Project and Product Exhibition, modeled after the concept of a “human library,” allowed attendees to engage with ongoing projects that promoted gender equity in climate action.