Margaret River woman and feminist climate justice advocate Dr Naomi Godden has been awarded the 2017 Stella Giles Award for Achievement from Soroptimist International WA.
The biennial award of up to $10,000 recognises a woman who has made a significant contribution to her chosen field.
The award was presented in Perth by Governor The Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC. The Award supports Ms Godden to undertake a project that will benefit women and girls.
Ms Godden said she will use the funds to build the Women’s Climate Justice Collective, a national movement of women working to elevate women’s human rights in climate change debate, policy and action.
“It is well-documented that women are disproportionately affected by climate change, particularly women of colour, First Nations women, rural women, women with a disability, women with a low income and LBTQI+ women,” she said.
“During and after climate events such as floods and bushfires, women are at greater risk of domestic and family violence, have reduced access to contraception and maternal health care, have reduced economic and education opportunities, and have significantly increased workloads at home and in their community.”
“The gendered impacts of climate change are not acknowledged or addressed in climate policy in Australia.
“Women are also excluded from climate change decision-making bodies and rarely hold key governmental positions that determine climate policy.”
The Collective will undertake a two-year project to provide information and training to feminist and climate advocates around Australia.
The group hopes to increase understanding of the intersection of women’s human rights and climate change, and support women to demand gender-responsive climate change policy and action.
Women who are interested in joining the Climate Justice Collective or learning more about this issue can email wcjcaus@gmail.com
A Women’s Climate Camp will be held in WA in 2018.
