BALI (BPN) – In celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, the three Australian Consulates-General in Indonesia – Bali, Makassar, and Surabaya – presented a webinar panel discussion on ‘The Important Role of Women in Climate Change Mitigation, on Wednesday, 6 April 2022.
The panel discussion featured presentations by Ewa Wojkowska (co-founder at Kopernik), Dr. Dewi Kirono (Principal Scientist at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), and Anjarwati (Young Environmental Control Expert at East Java Environmental Agency).
The panel speakers represented Indonesian and Australian women in leadership positions in regional government, a non-government organization, and the research sector, all of which play important roles in climate change mitigation in Indonesia.
“We are honored to welcome all the women and men who are joining us in this webinar from across Indonesia, Australia, and other countries around the world,” said the Australian Consul-General in Bali, Anthea Griffin.
“The Australian Government is doubling its climate finance commitment by providing $2 billion over 2020-25 to developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region to support climate and disaster risk management policy and programming that is socially inclusive and gender-responsive, acknowledging that women, girls, indigenous people, and people with a disability, are disproportionally affected by disasters and the impacts of climate change,” added Consul-General Griffin.
The Australian Consul-General in Makassar, Bronwyn Robbins, said that gender equality is a major part of the solution to tackling the problems of climate change, climate adaptation, and climate mitigation.
“Recognizing the important contribution of women as decision-makers, stakeholders, educators, carers, and experts across various sectors and at all levels can lead to successful, long-term solutions to climate change,” said Consul-General Robbins.
The Australian Consul-General in Surabaya, Fiona Hoggart, closed the opening remarks by highlighting the collaboration between the three Australian Consulates-General in Indonesia and thanking the Australian Embassy in Jakarta for its support.
“As the representative of the Australian Government at the regional level, the Australian Consulates-General in Bali, Makassar, and Surabaya continuously support our development partners, governments, and non-governmental organizations in efforts to increase understanding and promote effective responses to gender implications of climate change, adaptation and sustainability,” said Consul-General Hoggart.
Consul-General Hoggart also announced that the Australia Awards Indonesia is now taking applications for a short course on the future of climate funding. More information about this scholarship can be found at AustraliaAwardsIndonesia.org
Supporting women in leadership is a key priority for Australia. The Australian Government is proud that its Consuls-General in Bali, Makassar, and Surabaya are all women, working under the leadership of Australia’s first woman Ambassador to Indonesia Her Excellency Penny Williams PSM.
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