Summary
WiRL PUBLIC SEMINAR SERIES 2024/25
Seminar Three: Climate Change, Displacement and Gender
This was the third in a series of free online seminars hosted by the Women in Refugee Law (WiRL) network on the theme of “Refuge in a cold climate: the impact on women”. This series draws on WiRL’s global membership to apply a gendered lens in analysing the impact of increasing hostility to refugees in different states and contexts. These are public events, ideal for anyone whose work relates to refugee or asylum-claiming women or with an interest in the needs and experiences of refugee women. This series will draw on WiRL’s global membership to apply a gendered lens in analysing the impact of increasing hostility to refugees in different states and contexts.
The United Nations estimates that 80% of people who are displaced by the impact of climate change are women. Climate change not only affects where people live; it can exacerbate existing gender inequalities and expose women to increased risks such as SGBV. In this panel discussion we consider some of the ways that climate change specifically affects women and reflect on ways this is being addressed in refugee law, policy and practice.
Panellists included:
SEYRAN KHALILI (CHAIR)
Climate Lead, New Women Connectors
ALICE FARMER (SPEAKER)
Fellow at the Centre for Advanced Study in the Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University. To discuss building women’s resiliency in climate adaptation strategies
KATE JASTRAM (SPEAKER)
Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair of International Refugee Law, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco; Director of Policy & Advocacy, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies. To discuss the use of existing refugee and human rights law for cross-border climate displacement. To discuss the use of existing refugee and human rights law for cross-border climate displacement.
BUSHRA ALI KHAN (SPEAKER)
Managing Editor at The Migration News and Behavioural Journalism Fellow at The Atlas of Behaviour Change in Development. To discuss the urgent need for India to revise its laws for climate refugees.
Bushra’s presentation slides here.
You can find the agenda here and further information on the Speakers here.
