Why is Gender Equality last on the COP29 Agenda?

In the warm heart of West Africa, where the rhythms of life pulse through the land, I stand as a climate action activist and environmental storyteller. Driven by the urgency of a rapidly changing climate and the often-drowned voices of women, I felt a surge of anticipation for the 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. It’s where global decisions take shape and people unite to tackle the climate crisis. Yet, as I scanned the conference schedule, a chilling realization sank in—a recognition that made my heart heavy.

End of agenda
Gender equality, Indigenous rights, biodiversity, oceans, and coastal zones. These critical issues, each intricately tied to the climate emergency, are scheduled for the final day of COP29, November 21st, just hours before the conference closes on the 22nd. How can these pivotal topics—vital for a sustainable future—be relegated to the last items on the agenda? Activists and advocates who have fought tirelessly to bring gender to the table are once again faced with its placement at the very end.

Some might argue, “At least it’s on the agenda,” as if that should suffice. But the truth is starker. Many attendees, already weary after two weeks of discussions, will be preparing to leave, minds focused on their own priorities, passports in hand. Gender equality—an issue deeply woven into the lives of women who bear the brunt of climate injustice—will be heard by only a fraction of those who could actually drive change.

Women’s silent struggle
I think of the rural women in Ghana, whose lives are disrupted by shifting weather patterns—women who walk miles for water, who struggle to grow food for their families, who lose everything in storms. These women bear the heaviest burden of the climate crisis, yet their voices remain on the periphery, heard only when time is running out. Despite countless calls for gender equity, fair representation, and a true seat at the table, this injustice is repeated again and again.

Barriers and silence
The hypocrisy is profound. We speak of gender equality, yet how many women were even granted accreditation to attend this crucial conference? I was denied accreditation by Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI)—a barrier standing firmly with no explanation. I can’t remain silent because it’s not just about me—it’s about every woman fighting to be heard, every woman who deserves to stand alongside those making decisions that impact her life.

As the climate crisis ravages the planet, there’s an unmistakable injustice: women’s voices are silenced, their perspectives ignored. Imagine a young girl, displaced by rising seas, her future uncertain. Her mother, a farmer, struggles to adapt to withering crops and dwindling water. These aren’t just statistics—they’re the face of climate resilience.

Yet, when global leaders gather at COP under the UNFCCC, women are conspicuously absent. The negotiation table, where life-changing decisions are made, remains a male-dominated domain. We speak of gender equality, but without tangible opportunities, it’s merely rhetoric.

It’s time to shatter the glass ceiling. Women’s voices must resonate through the halls of power. Their insights must shape climate policy. We cannot build a sustainable future without those most vulnerable to climate change.

Justice starts here
The stakes are high, and the consequences are dire. Rising temperatures, devastating storms, and parched lands—these are the costs of exclusion. But inclusivity offers hope and a pathway to achieving the UN’s SDGs 5 and 13. Women’s participation sparks innovation, fosters resilience, and ensures climate justice.

As we look ahead, gender must be prioritized just as finance, energy, and innovation are. Barriers must be removed; women’s strength must be embraced. When we support women, we empower entire communities, we strengthen nations, and we make real strides toward a just and livable world for all. Gender equality must be more than the final item on the agenda—it must be the foundation of every conversation on climate action.

By Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu

The writer is a journalist.
E-mail: [email protected]