WECAN is hosting the "Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout," a virtual global assembly bringing together diverse women leaders. This event precedes the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels and is a strategic preparation for an historic government meeting in Colombia.

During the assembly, policymakers, frontline leaders, and advocates will discuss challenges and successful solutions for an equitable path to end the fossil fuel era. For interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English, join the live Zoom webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUL1y0NKQNaM44gvYwM7OA

Over the past 20 years, youth incarceration has plummeted by 75% as states closed prisons and reformed policies. In her new book, *In Our Future We Are Free*, journalist Nell Bernstein dissects this transformation. She chronicles the forces that moved us from a "moral panic" to a time when youth prisons are rapidly fading.

Bernstein's book highlights the pivotal role of imprisoned youth, mothers, activists, and even prison officials in challenging the "racist brutality of youth prisons" and closing institutions. Join Nell Bernstein and moderator Chesa Boudin to learn how this coalition reformed a "racist and destructive institution" and what other social movements can learn from their struggle.

Rebecca Solnit, a renowned writer, historian, and influential feminist thinker, authored "Men Explain Things to Me." This essay famously articulated an experience shared by millions of women worldwide.

In a conversation with writer Marina Espasa, Solnit reflects on contemporary feminism, the narratives perpetuating inequality, and the urgent need to collectively rethink our relationships with nature, culture, and one another.

On November 18, at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, WECAN hosted "Women on the Frontlines of Climate Action." Global women leaders, including representatives from Africa, Colombia, Brazil, and Turtle Island, shared powerful insights. They addressed ending fossil fuels, ensuring rights-based Just Transition, advocating for Indigenous Peoples' rightful place, and building a just world.

At the conference, WECAN also launched its report, "Justice-Based Climate Finance for COP30 and Beyond." This report provides in-depth analysis and strategies for governments to advance effective, rights-based climate finance. Read the full WECAN report: https://wecaninternational.org/climate-finance.

For more information on WECAN’s COP30 advocacy goals, delegation, events, and speakers, visit their website: https://tinyurl.com/COP30blog.

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on November 13, WECAN hosted a press conference where Amazonian leaders issued urgent calls to protect Indigenous rights, women land defenders, forests, water, communities, and the global climate.

WECAN also launched its “Escazú Agreement Toolkit for Women Land Defenders and Frontline Communities.” This resource offers eleven country-specific guides to help women land defenders navigate domestic laws for Escazú Agreement protections, ensuring their rights and environmental safeguards. Access the toolkit: WECAN Escazú Toolkit.

Prominent Indigenous leaders spoke at the event. For more details on WECAN’s COP30 advocacy and speakers, visit: WECAN COP30 Blog.

On November 13, WECAN hosted the press conference, “Women Leading Fossil Fuel Phaseout and a Just Transition,” at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Speakers shared critical strategies to advance a fossil fuel phaseout, uplift Indigenous and human rights, stop extraction, and implement a Just Transition that supports communities and ecosystems.

The event featured global experts including Dr. Ameria Sawas, Colette Pichon Battle, Esq., gina cortés valderrama, and Majo Andrade Cerda (Kichwa). Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN’s Executive Director, provided comments and moderated the discussion.

Learn more about WECAN’s advocacy goals, delegation, events, and speakers on their website: https://tinyurl.com/COP30blog

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, WECAN hosted "Rights of Nature: A Systemic Solution to the Climate Crisis." This press conference highlighted how Rights of Nature offers a new legal and economic framework for living in balance with Earth, providing a systemic solution for defending biodiversity, communities, and our climate.

WECAN also released its report, "Rights of Nature as a Central Pillar of a Just Transition," underscoring its critical role in global climate responses. Read the full report here. Speakers included Casey Camp-Horinek, Nnimmo Bassey, and Osprey Orielle Lake. Learn more about WECAN's COP30 advocacy on their website.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) addresses a critical digital gender gap. By 2025, an estimated 250 million fewer women than men will be connected to the internet. Maud Abaa underscores the vital importance of closing this disparity.

Discover more about ITU's efforts and initiatives by visiting their website: https://www.itu.int/160/.

On November 20, 2025, WECAN hosted the virtual event, "Global Voices and Women-Led Calls to Action in Response to COP30."

This conversation brought together women on the ground at COP30. They reported on negotiations, sharing highlights, report releases, and diverse global demands and calls to action.

From Belém and beyond, people's movements are actively responding to the escalating climate crisis, addressing the urgent needs of both people and the planet.

On Indigenous People's Day at COP30, WECAN participated in an action within the blue zone. There, we released our report, "Indigenous Rights are Vital to a Healthy and Just World: Guidance and Recommendations for the UNFCCC and Governments."

This report underscores a crucial message: Indigenous rights are a climate solution.

According to the IPCC, fossil fuels are responsible for nearly 75% of global CO2 emissions. Daniela Durán González, Head of International Affairs for Colombia's Minister of Environmental and Sustainable Development, emphasized that effective mitigation necessitates discussing a just and orderly transition away from fossil fuels.

At the COP30 closing plenary, several Parties, including Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Colombia, formally objected to outcome documents on the Global Goal on Adaptation and the Mitigation Work Program. This alarm was raised due to the continued removal of language on transitioning away from fossil fuels, despite agreements made in the COP28 UAE Consensus. Recent texts still lack these crucial references.

The Amazon Rainforest, particularly in Ecuador, faces a critical tipping point from rampant deforestation and extractive industries. Ecuador's deforestation surged 80% from 2021, destroying 18,902 hectares. This crisis violates Indigenous rights, sacrifices global ecosystems, and puts Indigenous women land defenders at heightened risk.

The WECAN Indigenous Women of the Ecuadorian Amazon Reforestation and Forest Protection project, led by Kichwa Pueblo leader Patricia Gualinga, restores and defends 135,000 hectares of Sarayaku territory. This project safeguards endemic tree species through reforestation, forest monitoring, and advocacy, explicitly avoiding market-based mechanisms like carbon offsets. Learn more: wecaninternational.org/ecuador-en

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on November 17, 2025, WECAN hosted its formal UN Side Event, "Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions." Women leaders globally presented climate justice strategies and solutions for a fossil fuel phaseout and a Just Transition.

Discussions covered vital areas including forest protection, feminist climate finance, Indigenous rights, and campaigns for government accountability. Diverse speakers shared critical updates and insights on the COP30 negotiations.

For more details on WECAN’s COP30 advocacy, events, and speakers, visit our website: https://www.wecaninternational.org/cop30

An event titled "Women in Action for Climate Justice and a Just Transition: Path to COP30 and Beyond" brought together diverse global women leaders. They highlighted the importance of a Just Transition and presented comprehensive, intersectional strategies to advance community-led climate solutions, phase out fossil fuels, protect democracy, and strengthen the climate justice movement.

Discussions focused on critical topics such as forest protection, reforestation, gender-responsive climate policies, fossil fuel resistance, food sovereignty, Indigenous and human rights, Rights of Nature, and strategic campaigns for COP30 and future climate action.

Prominent speakers included Thilmeeza Hussain (UN), Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (2024 Climate Breakthrough Award Winner), Bridget Burns (WEDO), Tzeporah Berman (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty), Colette Pichon-Battle (Taproot Earth), Jozileia Kaingang (ANMIGA), Taily Terena (2025 Global Citizen Prize Winner), and Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador). The event was moderated by Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).

The documentary "A Miracle A Day" portrays the All Bengal Women's Union Welfare Home in Kolkata, India. Founded in 1932, this thriving refuge provides a safe haven for 150-200 girls, women, and babies—from infants to the elderly—offering escape from brothels, trafficking, poverty, and abandonment. It serves as a modern example of institutions depicted in the acclaimed film "Lion."

The home offers essential food, clothing, shelter, education, and vocational training, supported by dedicated staff and volunteers. "A Miracle A Day" is an uplifting testament to the human spirit's capacity to surmount obstacles and transcend adversity.

Deborah Harse, Director

The Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) hosted the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond from June 23-28, 2025. This virtual forum united over 125 grassroots and frontline women leaders, advocates, and policymakers from 50 countries, offering 25 panels with diverse strategies for a healthy, just world. Interpretation was provided in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Learn more: wecaninternational.org/womens-assembly

Among the key sessions was "On Fire! Youth Leading the Way," held on June 26th. Moderated by Niria Alicia Garcia, the panel featured prominent youth climate and human rights activists: Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Maria Reyes, Samaï Malaïca Gualinga, and Xiye Bastida. Resources from this and other panels are available here: Assembly Resources

The panel “Women Parliamentarians for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty” convened on June 27, 2025, as part of the virtual Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice. Co-hosted by Parliamentarians for a Fossil Fuel Free Future, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and WECAN, the panel featured Senators Cecilia Requena (Bolivia) and Rosa Galvez (Canada), and MPs Nusrat Hanje (Tanzania) and Zali Steggall (Australia), moderated by Tzeporah Berman.

Organized by the Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) from June 23-28, 2025, the Assembly united over 125 women leaders and policymakers from 50 countries. Participants shared diverse strategies for a healthy and just world across 25 panels. Resources from the panel and Assembly are available here. Learn more about the Assembly here.

The Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) hosted the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond virtually from June 23-28, 2025. This forum united over 125 grassroots women leaders, advocates, and policymakers from 50 countries, offering interpretation in four languages. Across 25 panels, participants presented diverse visions and strategies for a healthy, just world.

One highlight was the "Regenerative and Just Energy For All" panel on June 26th, featuring experts like Karabo Mokgonyana, Wahleah Johns, Natalie Isaacs, and Bénédicte Larissa. Find Assembly resources here and learn more about the event here.

The "Just Transitions" panel took place on June 25, 2025, as part of the Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond, hosted by the Women's Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) from June 23-28. Panelists included gina cortés valderrama (Colombia), Lorraine Chiponda (Zimbabwe), Serena Mendizábal (Canada), Ayshka Najib (UAE), and Margaret Kwateng (USA).

Organized by WECAN, the Assembly convened over 125 grassroots and frontline women leaders, global advocates, and policymakers from 50 countries. Across 25 unique panels, speakers presented diverse visions, projects, and strategies to accelerate a bold and transformative path toward a healthy and just world.