The Forum on Gender and Climate Change took place on July 8 and 9, 2025, in the city of Praia. The event was promoted by the Cabo Verdean Institute for Gender Equality and Equity (ICIEG), in partnership with the Climate Action Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and supported by Luxembourg Cooperation. It brought together representatives from public institutions, academia, civil society organizations, and international partners for an open and critical dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of integrating gender perspectives into policies and actions related to climate change in Cabo Verde.

Over two days, the Forum established itself as a significant space for sharing experiences and best practices across sectors, reinforcing the need for a cross-sectoral and participatory approach. The main themes addressed included education, health, water and sanitation, energy, civil protection, youth engagement, and organized civil society. Discussions highlighted how integrating gender equality can lead to more inclusive, effective, and sustainable climate responses. It was emphasized that climate change affects women and men differently and that public policies must reflect this reality from their design through to implementation.

One of the Forum’s highlights was the public presentation of the National Study on Gender and Climate Change in Cabo Verde, developed with the technical support of the Climate Action Programme and Luxembourg Cooperation. This study is a significant milestone, identifying key barriers, progress achieved, and opportunities to promote a more just and gender-sensitive climate action in the country. The presentation of its findings and recommendations opened space for constructive debate among public institutions, academia, and civil society organizations, contributing to an empirical basis for the development of future policies.

The Forum also highlighted the relevance of tools such as gender-sensitive budgeting, disaggregated data, and monitoring systems focused on equity, which are essential for effective public policies. Discussions on governance and financing mechanisms demonstrated that integrating gender into climate action is not only a matter of social justice but also one of impact and efficiency.

The event concluded with an academic lecture reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of gender integration in climate action, reaffirming that climate justice is intrinsically linked to gender justice. Final remarks from the organizing institutions highlighted a shared commitment to continued collaboration, capacity building, and stronger alignment between public policy agendas.

This Forum marked another important step in the ongoing partnership between ICIEG, the Climate Action Programme, and Luxembourg Cooperation, making it clear that building a just and transformative climate transition requires collective action, inclusive leadership, and a vision grounded in evidence, equity, and resilience. In a particularly vulnerable context such as Cabo Verde, initiatives like this are fundamental to ensuring that no one is left behind in the response to climate change.

Author

Nuno Ribeiro
Programa Ação Climática