Why I give to SHE Changes Climate
By Rebecca Burgess, Country Director of The Hunger Project UK
“I would really like to help with SHE Changes Climate if you need any support?” I offered my ‘free’ day per week to Bianca and the team, in the run up to COP26. Little did I know that this would turn into weekends, evenings and holidays, from September 2021 for the next few months.
In less than two months we hosted over 40 incredible speakers, from around the world, in the art district of Glasgow for COP26. This one event boasts over 300 people registered, with a full house throughout the day. Panels were broadcast live with over 1,700 views via the livestream on Twitter and viewing rates continue to grow via their YouTube channel. It’s because of this, I know first-hand how vital the funding we received was to make this all possible. Securing funding from Clim8 Invest, thanks in large part to the wonderful Julia Davies and Kreitman Foundation, ensured that all our time and effort would be worth it and our impact multiplied.
That’s why I now give to SHE Changes Climate (SCC), not just my time, but my money. But why SCC and not one of the many other organisations out there doing awesome work, I hear you ask? Well, the female representation at COP26 was abysmal. Women numbered just 35% on delegation committees, and women led 37% of delegations as heads or deputies - despite the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan requiring equal participation of women in all levels of climate action. So much more needs to be done, and fast.
Yet, it is women who are the most impacted by the climate crisis due to the social-economic-political systems that often place them at the forefront of disaster. Women are 14 times more likely to die during an extreme weather event, and around 80% of climate refugees are women.
Women bear almost all responsibility for meeting basic needs of the family, yet are systematically denied the resources, information and freedom of action they need to fulfil this responsibility. Climate decisions need to represent and include the voices of all people who are the most affected by the crisis.
As Country Director of The Hunger Project UK, I now see this disparity face-on, in the stories from our local village partners in India, Bangladesh, Mexico, Peru and Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia).
Stories like Laxmi Bhil, 23, Sarpanch (President), Kabra Village Council, Bhilwara District, Rajasthan, India.
“Children of this panchayat have to travel long distances to pursue higher education. As a result, many drop out. For girls, the situation becomes even direr as they are forced into early and child marriage. I want to ensure a complete stop is put to this harmful practice. Apart from education, I also want to focus on healthcare and ensure people have access to basic amenities in the panchayat. My community has remained backward even to this day. As the majority of people have never attended school, they find it difficult to acquire decent jobs. I also want to enable women to have access to vocational skills so that they can be self-reliant. I want to bring in a major shift in the way things were done in the past.”
Like SCC, The Hunger Project firmly believes that empowering women to be key change agents is an essential element to achieving the end of hunger and poverty.
We know that when more women occupy decision-making positions, a mindset of concern and inclusive development for all, starts. Often, women’s first action is to address hunger, malnutrition, hygiene and sanitation in their families and communities, followed by safe drinking water and education.
It’s no surprise therefore that studies show that when women are supported and empowered, all of society benefits. Their families are healthier, more children go to school, agricultural productivity improves and incomes increase. In short, communities become more resilient.
Yet the full value and potential of women is not being platformed, invested in, or recognised currently. Seats at the top tables are not being given to enough women, to make the high-level decisions. Women and Youth are not expecting a seat at the top tables; they are now setting up their own top tables.
SCC is a fast-growing, diverse movement of change makers who are passionate about enabling women in all their diversity, to lead just climate action globally. They are collaborative, but importantly, they are also not afraid to speak the truth. The work of SCC compliments and strengthens all my other passions and the whole planet. That’s why it’s a no-brainer to support them.
With more women in leadership positions globally, we will have a better chance at not just surviving, but thriving. Yet, none of this can happen without funding. If you can support SHE Changes Climate fundraiser here . Alternatively get in touch with SHE Changes Climate to see how you can support their work more widely on hello@shechangesclimate.org.
To find out more about The Hunger Project UK visit https://www.thehungerproject.org.uk/ and follow us on social.
World Hunger Day is happening this weekend – Saturday 28th May. To take part and download our digital toolkit visit http://worldhungerday.org/ or contact info@thehungerproject.org.uk today.
For more inspirational stories, I highly recommend visiting The Hunger Project India’s webpage here.
With peace, love and gratitude to this amazing community.
Rebecca
About Rebecca
Listed in Management Today's 35 Women Under 35 list 2020, the longest-running, most prestigious list of young, female business talent in the UK, Rebecca is an accomplished leader.
In April, she joined The Hunger Project UK as Country Director, following leadership roles in sectors including climate, health, policy, and gender. A confident speaker, she’s been invited to share her thoughts on a variety of forums.
A passionate environmentalist and advocate for gender equality and human rights, Rebecca calls for these issues to be tackled together, not separately. She also urges for the voices of those who are most impacted by climate change and poverty to be heard.
Rebecca moved to the Southwest of England, after 10 years shaping sector leading community programmes with a variety of companies and not-for-profits in London.
Whilst working in the charitable sector, Rebecca has won many industry awards including a Corporate Engagement Award, Better Society Award, Global Good Award and Business Charity Award.
In 2019, Rebecca was listed in the WISE100, recognising the most inspiring and influential women in social enterprise, impact investment and mission-driven business.
