Mothers are not only victims of Climate Change: they also have a specific game-changing purpose

02.07.19

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - MMM calls for the recognition and support of the skills and contributions of women in their multiple roles, including their role in education on sustainable development within families.

“During extreme weather events, women are more likely to die than men, due to differences in socio-economic status, and access to information. Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding are subject to food insecurity resulting from climate change. Saltier drinking water, because of rising sea-levels, may cause premature births, and maternal and newborn deaths. ”
Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, opening the Panel discussion on women’s rights and climate change

The OHCHR analytical study on gender-responsive climate action which was presented to the council highlights among others:

  • The disastrous consequences of climate change on pregnancy and birth, and more generally on maternal and child health
  • And its negative impact on women’s unpaid care workload.

However, we at Make Mothers Matter strongly believe that women must not only be considered as victims but also as a powerful force for change in achieving climate mitigation and resilience.

From the Mother’s day climate demonstrations organized in several countries, to the waste recycling in India… the planting of vegetables resistant to cyclones and drought in Yasawa Islands, to the adoption of solar cooking… women around the world are taking action – often driven by the desire to protect their children’s health and future.

But women in their role as mothers also have a specific game-changing purpose. Through the values and sustainable practices they pass on to their children in everyday life, they are key levers for the changes in behavior, which, as highlighted by the IPCC, are critical in the fight against climate change.

MMM, therefore, calls for the recognition and support of the skills and contributions of women in their multiple roles, including their role in education on sustainable development within families.

MMM delivered this message during the General Debate on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which followed the presentation of the OHCHR analytical study on gender-responsive climate action at the 41st Session of the Human Rights Council. Mélanie Nédélec, our Representative at the UN, delivered the Statement on behalf of MMM.

Read MMM Oral Statement on mothers and climate change

Photo: UNAMID – Olivier Chassot

Most read articles

Women at the peace table: international Conference

14.04.23

Make Mothers Matter, together with the city of Ypres, and its grass roots partners Mothers for Peace, Mama Kivu and the Vrouwenraad, is organizing an international peace Conference Women at

Lire plus

MMM welcomes first ever Human Rights Council resolution on Care

11.10.23

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - Entitled ‘Centrality of care and support from a human rights perspective’, this landmark resolution was presented by the governments of Argentina, Iceland, Mexico

Lire plus

A snapshot of our Women at the Peace Table Conference

20.06.23

It was by all accounts, a remarkable gathering of global peacemakers. They came from all over the world to lend their voice and support to the message of the Conference:

Lire plus
See all the articlesof the category

Latest News from MMM and its Network

Supporting mothers as caregivers and educators – MMM @ the Human Rights Council

26.03.24

UN Geneva - As the 55th session of the Human Rights council wraps up, here is an overview of our contributions to the discussions that took place on a wide range of topics. Our aim with all our interventions wa

Read more

Mothers run the most demanding start-up: the family

24.03.24

UN New York, CSW68 - These wise words, uttered by of one of the speakers at our event, Let's change the narrative: invest in mothers, sums up the challenges faced by mothers. Organised online on the margins of

Read more

Let’s change the narrative: Invest in Mothers

11.03.24

UN New York, CSW68 - Join us for a discussion on changing the narrative in support of mothers - an online parallel event to the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women

Read more

Be Family® – committing companies to act in support of families in the workplace

01.03.24

MMM as founding member, is pleased to announce the launch of Be Family®, a bold and new movement that aims to ensure companies and organisations act inclusively and responsibly towards families and people with

Read more

Inclusive social protection for realising children’s rights

01.03.24

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - - Co-organised with a group of Child Rights organisations, we invite you to join us for this hybrid event which will take place around the HRC's annual day of the rights of the

Read more

Stop using women and girls as weapons of war says MMM member

27.02.24

UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - Passy Mubalama, Activist and Executive Director of Aidprofen, our associate member in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was one of the 4 Civil Society speakers selected to addr

Read more