Thousands of women in Asia cycle for the climate

Thousands of female cyclists crossed cities in six Asian countries last weekend under the motto 'Pedal for People and Planet'. With the cycling action they want to make people aware of climate change, food security and sustainable energy, and the role of women in the fight for climate justice.

In the aftermath of International Women's Day, thousands of women cycled for the climate through the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Vietnam on Sunday 12 March 2023. In doing so, they draw attention to the climate crisis.

After all, millions of residents in this region experience the consequences of climate change on a daily basis. Just think of the severe floods in Pakistan or the devastating typhoons in Southeast Asia last year. Millions of homes were damaged. Jobs were lost. Crops were destroyed. If we do not turn the tide quickly, the dramatic consequences of the climate crisis will only get worse in the future.

Rich industrial countries and large companies contribute with their historically high CO2 emissions the greatest responsibility for the climate crisis. But the impacts are especially on the inhabitants of lower-income countries. And on women. “Women worldwide are disproportionately affected by climate change,” says Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of 11.11.11-partner Asion Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) and main organizer of the cycling campaign.

“Climate change is harming food systems in many parts of the world as more frequent and intense droughts, heat waves or floods – caused by climate change – destroy crops and livelihoods. Women are hardest hit by the climate crisis, because they provide food for the family and depend on natural resources for their livelihood.” 

With the cycling actions, the organizers different requirements on the table with the governments:

• A quick, fair transition to sustainable energy which also meets the needs and rights of women.
• Measures to the to strengthen food systems that take into account the social and economic needs of women and communities.
• Fulfilling the promise of rich industrialized countries to climate finance to provide low- and middle-income countries with funding to help them adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis and take measures to reduce greenhouse gases.

“The 'Pedal for People and Planet' cycling action is all about women standing up for our rights in creative and meaningful ways – especially our right to food, clean energy and effective solutions to the global climate crisis,” Lidy explains. Because without gender justice, there is no climate justice.