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(Ottawa, ON): The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) will have a strong presence at COP25, the 25th UN Climate Change Conference, which is designed to take the next steps in the climate change process, in advance of full operationalization of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2020. Among the focus areas up for discussion are Indigenous peoples and gender.
“NWAC’s presence at COP25 is crucial. We have been, and continue to be, very engaged in climate action at both the domestic and international levels, as well as advancing gender balance and ensuring the voices of Indigenous women are heard in international discussions on climate change,” says President Lorraine Whitman.
On the domestic front, NWAC conducts research and provides policy papers to the federal government on matters related to renewable energies and the need for increased representation of Indigenous women in low-carbon economic sectors. “We have been advocating for a number of environment-related issues, including the need to regulate toxic substances, which have cumulative effects on Indigenous women and children,” says Lynne Groulx, NWAC CEO.
To enhance its input on environmental files, NWAC is developing a low-carbon toolkit for Indigenous women who want to start or grow businesses that contribute to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.
NWAC is also making a strong, visible presence internationally — participating in meetings held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Through these international forums, NWAC advocates for the rights and interests of Indigenous women as they relate to the environment in general and climate change in particular.
As an example, by contributing to the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform, NWAC is able to advance gender balance and ensure the voices of Indigenous women are heard in international discussions on climate change.
“Climate change affects all humankind. When taking action to address this important issue, the respective obligations on the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities must be respected, promoted and considered. After all, Indigenous people are stewards of the land, and Indigenous women are the life-givers and caretakers of all life,” says President Whitman. “We look forward to contributing to the dialogue at COP25.”
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For media inquiries: Joan Weinman, 613-294-5679, joanweinman@rogers.com
For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Roselie LeBlanc
roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca
+1 (604) 928-3233
Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:
Roselie LeBlanc
roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca
+1 (604) 928-3233
About The Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls, transgender, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit. An aggregate of Indigenous women’s organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.
À propos de l'Association des femmes autochtones du Canada
L'Association des femmes autochtones du Canada (AFAC) est une organisation autochtone nationale qui représente la voix politique des femmes, des filles, des transgenres, des bispirituels et des personnes de sexe différent au Canada, y compris les membres des Premières nations vivant dans les réserves et hors réserve, les Indiens inscrits et non inscrits, les personnes privées de leurs droits, les Métis et les Inuits. Regroupant des organisations de femmes autochtones de tout le pays, l'AFAC a été fondée dans le but collectif d'améliorer, de promouvoir et de favoriser le bien-être social, économique, culturel et politique des femmes autochtones au sein de leurs communautés respectives et des sociétés canadiennes.
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