Frontline, Grassroots and Indigenous Women Stand for Just Climate Solutions at United Nations COP23 Press Conference and Side Event

BONN, Germany (November 14, 2017) - Tomorrow, Wednesday November 15th, grassroots, frontline and Indigenous women leaders from around the world will unite for a Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN/WECC) press conference and side event at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP23 climate talks, currently underway in Bonn, Germany.

Presenters will share powerful testimony and analysis for addressing climate change from a climate justice framework, exploring vital topics including forest and biodiversity protection, agro-ecology implementation, fossil fuel resistance, Indigenous rights and knowledge, and rights of nature.

Women have always been on the frontlines of accelerating climate impacts and harms - and now it is time for them to be at the forefront of all planning, decision-making and action to build a healthy and just world.

The November 15th WECAN/WECC side event and press conference will provide an opportunity to hear directly from women leaders on why their stories and solutions are essential to any meaningful progress on global implementation of the Paris Climate Accord. Unwilling to compromise in their defense of the Earth and their communities, the women will also speak out against stagnancy, injustice, and perpetuation of false and patriarchal climate change policies and solutions.

The 'Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change' side event will be held Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 11:30-13:00 in the BONN Zone, Meeting Room 12.

The side event will feature Patricia Gualinga (Indigenous Kichwa leader from the Pueblo of Sarayaku, Ecuador, participating in the Amazon Watch, Indigenous and WECAN Delegations); Nina Gualinga (Indigenous Kichwa leader from the Pueblo of Sarayaku, Ecuador, participating in the Amazon Watch, Indigenous and WECAN Delegations); Leila Salazar Lopez (Executive Director, Amazon Watch, United States, translating for Patricia Gualinga); Precious Phiri (Representative of Regeneration International; EarthWisdom, Zimbabwe); Heather Milton Lightening (Treaty Four Territory, Pasqua First Nation; Representative of Indigenous Climate Action; #ItTakesRoots Delegation, Canada); Thilmeeza Hussain (Former Deputy Ambassador to the UN from the Maldives; Climate Wise Women; Voice of Women; WECAN COP23 Delegation, Maldives); India Logan Riley (Youth Representative with Pacific Women's Delegation, from Hawke's Bay, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, New Zealand); and Osprey Orielle Lake (Founder/Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network, United States)

A press conference will follow, Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 15:30 - 16:00 in the BULA Zone 3, Press Conference Room 2 Theatre - and will feature Thilmeeza Hussain (Former Deputy Ambassador to the UN from the Maldives; Climate Wise Women; Voice of Women; WECAN COP23 Delegation, Maldives); Ruth Nyambura (African Eco-Feminists Collective, Kenya); Maria Nailevu (DIVA for Equality, Fiji); Patricia Gualinga (Indigenous Kichwa leader from the Pueblo of Sarayaku, Ecuador, participating in the Amazon Watch, Indigenous and WECAN Delegations); Leila Salazar Lopez (Amazon Watch, United States); and Osprey Orielle Lake (Women's Earth and Climate Action Network United States).

Press and media on-the-ground are invited to attend both sessions. Those covering COP23 remotely are encouraged to reach out with interview requests, and for access to the press conference recording which will be available via the UNFCCC immediately after the close of the event.

Full information is available via the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network webpage : wecaninternational.org/pages/cop23

+++