The specialised training comes at a crucial time for women around the world. With every degree of global warming, women are paying the biggest price. It’s women who lose their livelihoods. Women who lose access to food and clean water. Women who face increased violence.
In fact, the pollution caused by coal, oil and gas that is driving climate change is one of the greatest threats to all the progress we’ve made on gender equality.
The power of community
Lana Camilleri, an international studies and development student at RMIT, was one of the activists who joined the training because of her interest in the intersection between climate change and women’s justice. “I began my search for an organisation that really focused on this intersectionality,” she said. “And that’s when I found ActionAid.”
She says the most important thing she took away from the training was the power of community.
“The training reinforced for me that community is the foundation of mobilisation,” she said. “When people feel connected and supported, they are far more likely to show up when it matters. Community has always been so important to me, so I hope to prioritise relationship-building and creating inclusive spaces so that more people can get involved.”
The Feminist Climate Justice Academy also challenged participants to develop the foundational skills needed to advocate and campaign, and put them to work in the real world.
“With the new skills and knowledge I gained over the weekend, I feel a lot more confident in active organising and campaigning roles,” said Lana. “Something I learnt from the training was that running a campaign is not reserved for experts, it is something that can be learned, and strengthened over time. I hope that this year I get the opportunity to bring these skills into my volunteer work with ActionAid.”
Every climate action empowers women
“If someone is considering getting involved in feminist climate action, I would say: do it,” says Lana. “There is genuinely space for everyone. Activist movements are strengthened by new voices and perspectives, as well as different lived experiences.
“You do not need to be an expert in climate change or feminism to contribute, you just need to care about it and be willing to participate.
“Now more than ever, we need people stepping into these spaces. With the increasing risks of climate insecurity, from extreme weather events to food and housing instability, the impacts are becoming more visible and more urgent, especially for those in a more vulnerable position. So, don’t be afraid to join, it’s not only not as daunting as it might seem but can also be really fun!”
If you’re interested in getting involved in feminist climate action, you can join the ActionAid Australia Activist Network, or explore our feminist climate justice work and campaign actions you can take in solidarity with women around the world.