On December 5, WECAN hosted our formal UN Side Event at COP28, “Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis.” During the side event,

On December 5, WECAN hosted our formal UN Side Event at COP28, “Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis.” During the side event, grassroots, Indigenous and frontline women, and representatives of global organizations presented climate justice strategies and solutions, including forest and biodiversity protection, Indigenous rights, agro-ecology, renewable energy and a Just Transition, fossil fuel phase out and divestment, and protection of women land defenders.

Speakers included: Lucy Mulenkei (Maasai), Executive Director, Indigenous Information Network, Kenya; Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action, Canada; Braulina Baniwa (Baniwa), Executive Director, National Articulation of Indigenous Women Ancestrality Warriors (ANMIGA), Brazil; Taily Terena (Terena Nation), Indigenous rights activist, WECAN Coordinator in Brazil, Brazil; Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA; Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

During the event we also had a special appearance by Sonia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, who shared a powerful testimony to the leadership of women in Brazil and globally. We are honored to have worked with Minister Guajajara for the past several years, and to see her continue her advocacy efforts in her newly appointed position.

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world!
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Press Conference –

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world!
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Press Conference – Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions, COP28; Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3:30 - 4:00 PM

​International women leaders shared the impacts of international climate policies, and discussed the urgency for transformative strategies and solutions to address the climate crisis and advance a just transition. ​​

Speakers included:
✨ Taily Terena (Terena Nation), Indigenous rights activist, WECAN Coordinator in Brazil, member of IITC - International Indian Treaty Council and IIYFCC - International Indigenous youth forum on climate change, Brazil
✨ Zukiswa White, Coordinator, Women and Gender Constituency, South Africa
✨ Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA
✨ Brianna Fruean, Youth Climate Activist and Environmental Advocate, Samoa
✨ Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

Indigenous Women from the Amazon: Calls for Urgent Action - COP27 Press Conference

Indigenous organizations and communities, led by women, are mobilizing locally and globally to

Indigenous Women from the Amazon: Calls for Urgent Action - COP27 Press Conference

Indigenous organizations and communities, led by women, are mobilizing locally and globally to protect and defend their communities and territories from governments and corporations that continue to violate Indigenous and human rights, and push forward extractive projects that harm local ecosystems and put communities at risk.

During this press conference, Indigenous women from the Amazon Basin and Brazil brought forth calls to action for Indigenous rights and protection of forests, water, communities, and the global climate.

Speakers included:
--- Sônia Bone Guajajara (Guajajara), Indigenous Leader from Brazil, Federal Deputy of the National Congress of Brazil, Brazil
--- Patricia Gualinga (Kichwa), Spokeswoman for Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva (Amazon Women in Defense of the Jungle), Sarayaku, Ecuador
--- Helena Gualinga (Kichwa), Indigenous Youth Climate Leader, Sarayaku, Ecuador
--- Taily Terena (Terena), Indigenous Rights Activist, WECAN Coordinator in Brazil, Brazil

During this press conference, international women leaders discussed feminist and women-led visions emerging from global movements, share the context and impacts of international climate policies,

During this press conference, international women leaders discussed feminist and women-led visions emerging from global movements, share the context and impacts of international climate policies, and discuss strategies, solutions and alternatives towards shaping a healthy and equitable future.

Speakers included:
--- Neema Namadamu, Democratic Republic of Congo Coordinator, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Democratic Republic of Congo
--- Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, USA
--- Anne Songole, Climate Justice Coordinator, The African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET), Kenya
--- Taily Terena (Terena), Indigenous Rights Leader, and WECAN Coordinator, Brazil
--- Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)