By Ursula Miniszeskski, Program and Development Officer, Gender and the Environment
“I started planting trees and found myself in the forefront of fighting for the restoration of democracy in my country.” – Wangari Maathai
On Saturday, January 21st Global Greengrants Fund joined the Women’s March on Washington and sister marches in Denver, San Francisco, and London to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the United States and beyond.
We marched to send a clear message: The health of our planet and the advancement of women’s rights go hand-in-hand. We stand for a society that values, respects, and includes women. Only by lifting up women’s voices will we have a chance against the greatest threat facing humankind—climate change.
But the fight is not over. While the march was the first step in unifying our voices across movements, continued action together is what we need to evoke real change.
Here are three ways to act today to help protect our planet and the rights of women around the world:
- Spread the word and change the conversation: We can’t rely on our leaders to do the hard work of changing minds. It’s up to each of us to catalyze action on the issues that matter most. I encourage you to continue to have tough conversations about climate change, and its unequal impacts, especially on women. Find tips to help make the conversation easier.
- Take to the streets: The Women’s March on Washington was just the first of many opportunities to use people power to make our voices heard. The People’s Climate Movement is planning 100 Hours of Resistance to make a statement that we are ready to protect the rights of people and the environment. Find an action near you and get involved.
- Stand with female leaders: Lasting environmental and social change has to include women’s voices and leadership. You can make that happen by supporting women activists working each day to protect and restore their environments and ways of life.
The future depends on all of us, and the time to act is now.