The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) on International Women’s Day

Due to unequal gender norms globally, women are impacted first and worst by climate change, and yet, one of the untold stories is how women in all of their diversity are simultaneously essential actors in local and global solutions. Study after study shows that we must involve women at every level, if we are to succeed in areas of just climate solutions, social equality, and bold transformative change.

Our programs are wide-ranging: from reforestation projects to protection of old growth forests; from fossil fuel divestment and resistance to feminist climate policy advocacy locally and at the United Nations; from Indigenous rights to food sovereignty; and more. Our programs have engaged people in over 50 countries, and focus on immediate actions as well as long-term systemic change to the climate crisis and the root causes of environmental degradation and socio-economic inequalities.

In addition to our programming and campaigns, WECAN coordinated the Women Speak Database, which highlights thousands of women’s stories and women-led climate solutions. Through our Women Speak Database, we are shifting narratives, challenging dominant systems of exploitation and oppression of women and the Earth, and uplifting the many successful solutions women are leading around the globe. We collect and share thousands of stories by and about women and feminists leading struggles and solutions for climate justice under a variety of cross-sectional themes. From ocean protection to fossil fuel phaseout to food sovereignty, and so much more, women are leading the way!

The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International is a solutions-based, multi-faceted organization established to engage women worldwide in policy advocacy, on-the-ground projects, trainings, and movement building for global climate justice.

Photo credits: Global women leaders strategize together at WECAN’s founding Summit. Photo via Lori Waselchuk.