The power of women, SHE Changes Climate France
By Shivani Kannabhiran
Oh, what a launch! The SHE Changes Climate France launch on 25 March was simply incredible. What power, what energy, what joy the 100+ women (and a few men) brought to the standing room Friends Area at the ChangeNOW 2024 Conference in Paris.
Women and girls of all ages, from all walks of life: students, business, power brokers, explorers; those in transition, married, single, with kids; with no kids, from the varied life experiences and identities we all bring as women. We were fully present in our no-limits, highly personal, messy, fearless ways to listen to what Elise Buckle and Alice Durand-Reville had to say about gender parity in climate action, and why it matters to them.
And perhaps because of this fearlessness and diversity, there was also this wonderful level of openness, curiosity and determination linking us all. We were eager to speak up, but also to hear each other and listen, to suspend judgement and to share how we think climate action can benefit from more voices. It was a defining and special moment for me — where one simply said: I see you, I hear you, tell me what you think.
Here are five take-aways which I will take on as part of the SHE Changes Climate France team:
Climate change is first and foremost a human problem and not just a women’s problem
Even in France, our voices are not fully heard (“Take the space”)
We need to foster inclusiveness and respect, the diversity of ideas, experiences and solutions – let’s co-create and not use the usual top-down approach
Women need to support women – “Don’t be a b***h!”
Small actions build “atomic habits” - We can plant the seeds for change in our communities, in our families; as consumers, as citizens, as do-ers.
Let’s build on this together at SHE Changes Climate France. A core principle underpinning our approach in France is linking to the sub-national level. We want to learn from and connect with climate actors at the communal, regional and territorial level to understand the challenges and needs on the ground, as well as the solutions that work in practice and can benefit us all.
Follow the France Network on LinkedIn to stay on top of the latest actions and how you can help us SHE Changes Climate France: Overview | LinkedIn