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United Nations Environment Programme
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Interfaith Women Unite to Drive Climate Action

The Faith for Earth Interfaith Women Council is a platform composed of distinguished faith and interfaith influential women leaders advocating for environmental stewardship and sustainable development through their communities, inspired by their spiritual traditions. 

The lived experiences of women in faith communities represent an untapped wellspring of knowledge, particularly in addressing the intersections of gender, spirituality, and environmental challenges. 

Women leadership can drive transformative solutions to local, regional, and global challenges, leveraging their unique perspectives and spiritual insights to advance environmental protection and sustainable development. 

"We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and, in the process, heal our own – indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty and wonder."

Wangari Maathai Founder of the Green Belt Movement and the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. 

"I encourage everyone – man, woman, boy or girl – to embrace feminist leadership which embodies compassion, strength and direction.1" 

Inger Andersen – UN Undersecretary General and Executive Director of UNEP

Faith for Earth Team (General)

for substantive inqueries

Azmaira Alibhai

for programmatic inqueries

Resources

Our faith shapes our values, behaviours, and relationship with the natural world. 

Women faith and interfaith leaders carry profound wisdom and experience in environmental protection, offering unique perspectives that bridge spiritual teachings with ecological consciousness. Their leadership is essential for mobilizing communities toward environmental action and sustainable practices.

The purpose of the Faith for Earth Interfaith Women Council is to amplify women's voices in faith-based environmental action by: 

  • Serving as the Coalition's voice on matters relating to gender, religion, and the environment 
  • Identifying strategic priorities for integrating gender perspectives in environmental programs 
  • Fostering dialogue between religious traditions on environmental protection 
  • Supporting coalition initiatives through speaking engagements and network building 
  • Mobilize networks to advance environmental action through faith-based initiatives 
  • Bring spiritual and moral perspectives to UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy implementation 
  • Foster dialogue with policymakers to address gender and intergenerational environmental challenges through spiritual wisdom 

Collaborating Partners

Women, Faith and Climate is a new multi-faith, women-led network of faith leaders to combat climate change. Launched on 24 October in Frascati, Italy, this women-led climate action networks makes up representatives from diverse geographies and faiths by leveraging the influence and power of women of faith. 

Several of the Faith for Earth Interfaith Women Council Members took active role in the meeting leading to the formation of the Network, along with the Director of the Faith for Earth Coalition.

15 Oct 2024 Partner Article
Going further, faster, together: towards a global, multi faith, women led climate action network

A women-led, faith inspired network on climate action was a key recommendation of an event held last year at Wilton Park on Women, Faith and Climate Change. This event will bring together women leaders from the major faiths pioneering action to combat climate change to share best practice, discuss radical collaboration and the launch of a mass mobilisation campaign for climate action targeting…Read more

Did you know?
Our cities produce 60-80% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

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