Pacific women can greatly contribute to mitigation and adaptation actions as the battle against climate change is at its peak.

Feminist and Law student, Zakiyyah Ali says Pacific women have been battling climate crisis for years which means that they have the knowledge and experience on hand.

Ali adds climate change is an environmental breakdown which is affecting every individual.

“When solutions to disasters, when solutions to the climate crisis are formulated in response to the lived realities of these people, they are more effective and that’s what we want. We want to change this passive narrative, where we are vulnerable victim to one where we are active, because when we employ a holistic approach, when we employ a gender responsive approach, we are formulating solutions that are just, that are equitable, that are effective, and that are sustainable.”

Ali adds women are primarily gatherers and producers of food in every indigenous community and the climate crisis has greatly affect them as food sources are unpredictable.

Meanwhile the 2nd Pacific Feminists Forum convened yesterday in Pacific Harbour.

The three –day forum with the theme ‘Sustaining Solidarity, Resistance and Revolution’ will see 150 diverse women from across the Pacific reflect on key issues paramount to gender equality and women’s rights, and facilitate opportunities for collaboration to effect positive change for all women and girls within our respective regional communities.

The forum concludes tomorrow.