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 and inspired by their spiritual traditions.
Faith shapes our values, behaviors, 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 while addressing intergenerational and intergender issues.
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. By moving beyond traditional roles as primary caretakers of families and communities, women can be empowered as leaders and equal partners in driving transformative solutions to local, regional, and global challenges, leveraging their unique perspectives and spiritual insights to advance environmental protection and sustainable development. 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
"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
