Antalya:State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for predictable, accessible, and cost-free financing to support gender-responsive climate adaptation and resilience efforts.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shama made her call during an event titled 'Policy to Practice Strengthening Gender-responsive Climate Governance and Finance in Bangladesh' held at the Bangladesh Pavilion in the Blue Zone of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and UN Women Bangladesh, with Shama attending as the chief guest.
The event focused on Bangladesh's experiences and challenges in implementing gender-responsive climate initiatives, emphasizing the importance of institutional capacity, inter-ministerial coordination, and sectoral mainstreaming. Discussions also explored the role of development partners and international financial institutions in creating a supportive environment for mobilizing resources aligned with national climate priorities.
In her speech, the state minister stressed the importance of integrating safety, mobility, and participation into climate adaptation planning. She highlighted the necessity for facilities such as cyclone shelters with separate amenities for women and improved access to reproductive and mental healthcare services. Shama emphasized that gender-responsive climate action should be woven into the planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring of resilience initiatives, rather than being confined to standalone projects. "When women lead and participate fully, our communities become more resilient, and our future becomes more secure," she stated.