Women leading united action on climate change
"As holders of a great and universal desire to look after the young, we raise our voices, confident in the potential of women to lead positive change" [from Women's Climate Congress vision and values statement] |

Welcome to the Women’s Climate Congress
In 2022, humanity stands at a crossroads. Climate scientists warn that we have less than a decade to get our house in order before we suffer the consequences of Earth’s fury. Our children are calling for action to secure their future and our country has been ravaged by fires and floods. But our political system has resulted in deadlock. Picture what could be done if all parties worked through the issues around climate change with genuine multiparty intent to make our planet a safer, sustainable home for our children, grandchildren and all life on Earth. This is the compelling and audacious proposition at the heart of the Women’s Climate Congress.
We believe that it is time for women’s leadership to help turn the tide of political culture from polarised discord to collaboration and cooperation. We propose that nurture of life in the natural world and care for the Earth must be at the centre of every policy and government decision.
We have all enjoyed the benefits that the industrial revolution has brought to the developed world, and we must work together to transition our economy and lifestyles to a sustainable and just future. We firmly hold a future focused philosophy of taking joint responsibility and working together to achieve meaningful climate action. And we believe that the arts have a vital role in public discourse about issues of great concern for humanity – connecting head and heart.
We are building a network across Australia to start a dialogue with our political representatives. We will also reach out to like-minded women’s groups overseas.
Call to the women ...
Now is the moment to network together, form women's circles to amplify our voices to support the young people who have been bravely speaking out. We call out to women who share our vision to join us to lead the way to united action.
For our children, grandchildren and all of life on Earth, it is the natural thing to do.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands where we meet, noting that sovereignty has never been ceded. We pay our respects to First Peoples Elders past, present and emerging.
'This land is the song of Indigenous peoples,
All those who walked here and all their descendants,
Song of the creatures and spirits of dreaming,
Song of the children and culture they lost.
This land holds the lines of its earliest owners,
Custodians who respected the Earth,
Lines of their knowledge and wisdom of Elders,
We ask to walk with you in concord and peace.'
'Acknowledgement of Country', poem by Hazel Hall, published with music by Glenda Cloughley under Creative Commons attributions (Songbook for Citizens by A Chorus of Women, 2013)
Photo credits: Bushfire by Bert Knot (CC BY-SA 2.0); River gully by Jenny Robinson; Women's circle by Danny Pratt