UK (Commonwealth Union)_ Diplomats and leaders convened at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters, for a significant event on the intersection of climate change and mental health. Titled ‘Climate Vulnerability and Mental Health: Voices of Women,’ the gathering, hosted by the Women in Diplomacy network in collaboration with the Bangladesh High Commission and the Shuchona Foundation, aimed to explore how policymakers can effectively address the needs of vulnerable individuals, with a particular focus on women.
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HE Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK, chaired the event, which saw the participation of government ministers, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, leaders from Commonwealth accredited organizations, and several diplomats and dignitaries. The discussions centered around fostering greater resilience by incorporating the perspectives of the most vulnerable, notably women, into policies and decisions.
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The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC, drew attention to the interconnected challenges faced during her recent visit to the Cook Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum. She emphasized the profound impact of crises on mental health, with women bearing a disproportionate burden given their roles as caregivers. Secretary-General Scotland urged the audience to translate discussions into concrete initiatives that inspire positive change, emphasizing the collective responsibility to make a difference.
Secretary-General noted, “It’s always easy to think that what we say or do does not matter. Can I say to you – it does! And if we collectively choose, we can be that difference. So, I want to thank you in advance, not just for being here and not just for listening, for what I know you will do as a result of being here”. Acknowledging the critical role of men in addressing the challenges outlined by speakers, Secretary-General Scotland commended their participation and solidarity. She stressed the need for urgent action to address the outlined challenges effectively.
The event incorporated the voices of young people, with Rawan Al Faqir, President of Young Diplomats in London and First Secretary at the Embassy of Jordan, providing recommendations. Al Faqir called for advocating mental health support systems as integral parts of climate adaptation and disaster response plans. She also emphasized the importance of involving youth in climate action and decision-making processes, considering them the future leaders who need empowerment.
Al Faqir said, “We need to advocate for mental health support systems as part of climate adaptation and disaster response plans. Lastly, we need to highlight the importance of youth involvement in climate action and the decision-making process. These people will be the future leaders, and we need to empower them.” Speakers covered a range of topics, including the impact of climate change on small states, the necessity for increased focus on STEM education, social protection, and nature-based solutions. Issues related to conflict, migration, and challenges in hard-to-reach populations were also discussed.
The event preceded a gathering of Commonwealth women leaders to address the urgent issue of safeguarding women and children from domestic violence. Discussions focused on the physical and mental health effects on women and children, seeking avenues to affect positive change across the Commonwealth. The event also highlighted Commonwealth Says NO MORE, a Pan-Commonwealth initiative and a collaborative effort between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the NO MORE Foundation. This initiative, the first of its kind, serves as a pan-Commonwealth platform to address domestic and sexual violence comprehensively.
