WCC News: WCC joins global faith efforts for women's health amid climate crisis

In a session held at COP 28's Faith Pavilion, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Green Hope Foundation collaborated to shed light on the urgent need for interfaith feminist actions addressing climate change's disproportionate impact on women and girls.

Dr Manoj Kurian, coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, delivered a message in a COP28 side event titled "Interfaith Feminist Climate Justice for the Human Right to a Healthy Society and Environment.” Photo: Valter Hugo Muniz/WCC 5 December 2023 Titled "Interfaith Feminist Climate Justice for the Human Right to a Healthy Society and Environment,” the panel featured insights from various faith traditions, emphasising the collective responsibility to address the challenges posed by climate change. Among the panel of experts, Dr Manoj Kurian, coordinator of the WCC Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, delivered a message on the health crisis exacerbated by climate change. "Climate change is having a massive impact on all humanity's nutrition, health, and wellbeing. But the most significant burden is borne by women and girls." He emphasised that Christians believe all creation is interconnected as one unified body. “Women and girls, who are half of humanity, are suffering disproportionally. In one body, if one part is in distress while another is at ease, it is incorrect to claim that, on average, the entire body is fine! Within the body of Christ, there are no averages. Let us collectively address inequities and alleviate suffering." Kurian concluded his intervention at the side event with a call for action: “Let us be grateful for the continuing and tremendous contributions of mothers, sisters, and daughters. As communities, societies, and nations, let us increase investments in women's health and build systems that overcome vulnerabilities caused by climate change. Transformation starts with us as individuals and in families."  WCC special page on COP28 Global Climate Action spotlight: Faith actors' crucial role echoes at COP28 (WCC news release, 3 December 2023) Indigenous youth advocate Julia Rensberg paves the way for climate resilience at COP28 Faith Pavilion (WCC news release, 3 December 2023) WCC general secretary: “At COP 28 we have to speak up for justice” (WCC news release 3 December 2023) At COP28, WCC general secretary hopes for “less talk and more walk” (WCC interview, 1 December 2023) Interfaith talanoa dialogue brings “ethical, moral, and spiritual voice” to COP28 (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) As COP28 begins, faith communities stand ready to push for climate justice (WCC news release, 30 November 2023) WCC executive committee statement on COP28's responsibility for climate justice "Confluence of Conscience: Uniting for Planetary Resurgence" - Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for COP28 See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland