Climate Change and Gender Equality

Left to right: Sonja Ohlsson, Maureen Goodman, Maryam Majidova and Shreya Ghodawat. 

At COP (Baku) in 2024, an inspiring conversation, organised by the Brahma Kumaria, brought four women together to discuss the importance of women’s voices having an equal standing in decision-making. 

Sonja Ohlsson, Focal Point UNFCCC representative for the Brahma Kumaris spoke with Maureen Goodman, Programme Dir., Brahma Kumaris, UK; Maryam Majidova, Co-founder and Executive Director of Gender HUB Azerbaijan; Shreya Ghodawat, Sustainability & climate activist, and the India Ambassador for Project Dandelion and SHE Changes Climate.

Some highlights from their conversations were:

Sonja Ohlsson “We care, we share and we inspire in the midst of a world in crisis.”

Maureen Goodman “I love the idea of sacred activism… Sacred activism is to speak out from a place of values and love. So, whatever you do has a different energy and I have found it is much more effective.”

Shreya Ghodawat “We advocate for more women to be part of the climate leadership and political leadership, because so many times decisions are being made for us but without us… So, we want women to have a seat at the decision-making table, because we bring solutions and lead with empathy, resilience and healing energy.“

Maryam Majidova “If you are impacted by something you need to have a say in that and be part of the solution. Not just a ‘user’ of decisions made by the system. We really want women to be on board, especially in issues that impact their own lives, household, children and community.”

The full conversation with Shreya Ghodawat can be watched here, and with Maryam Majidova here.