Youth Adaptation Forum – Invest in Women: Accelerate Climate Adaptation Progress

Held on International Women’s Day, the Youth Adaptation Forum on Young Women Leadership sought to bring attention to the young women working on the ground to create and implement adaptation solutions. The Youth Adaptation Forum on Young Women and Leadership raised awareness of the gender inequalities exacerbated by climate disasters and encouraged young women to share their best practices for climate adaptation action through their work. 

YOUNG PEOPLE DRIVING THE ADAPTATION AGENDA 
The GCA Youth Leadership and Education program aims to make young people central to driving the adaptation agenda and implementation worldwide. The program’s mission is to mobilize the next generation of adaptation leaders around the world by providing capacity-building for young people and creating adaptation jobs to make their communities more climate resilient.  

In 2024, GCA will organize six thematic Youth Adaptation Forums based upon adaptation areas prioritized by young people; Young Women Leadership for Adaptation, Water, Climate-resilient Agriculture, Nature-based Solutions, Youth Entrepreneurship, Adaptation Jobs, and Finance and Locally Led Adaptation.  
 
The Youth Adaptation Forums are bringing together young people, governments, civil society, practitioners, international organizations, and decision-makers to mobilize adaptation solutions led by young people.  
 
The Youth Adaptation Forums will culminate in a Global Youth Adaptation Action Day, where young people around the world will be encouraged to take adaptation action simultaneously. 
 
YOUNG WOMEN LEADERSHIP YOUTH ADAPTATION FORUM 
Held on International Women’s Day, the Youth Adaptation Forum on Young Women Leadership sought to bring attention to the young women working on the ground to create and implement adaptation solutions. The Youth Adaptation Forum on Young Women and Leadership raised awareness of the gender inequalities exacerbated by climate disasters and encouraged young women to share their best practices for climate adaptation action through their work. 

Key objectives: 
The Youth Adaptation Forum on Young Women Leadership will: 

• Demonstrate the role of young women as change-makers and highlight effective practices for their engagement in climate adaptation. 
• Inspire young women to take leadership roles in climate adaptation. 

PROGRAM 
The Youth Adaptation Forum on Young Women Leadership took place virtually, and was moderated by Adriana Valenzuela, Youth Leadership & Education Thematic Lead GCA.  

High-Level Opening Remarks 

• Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen, Chief Executive Officer GCA 
• Hon. Sahar Albazar, Member of Parliament and Deputy Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee, Egypt  

Navigating Underrepresentation: Challenges and Opportunities for Young Women Leadership in a Changing Climate 

• Adriana Valenzuela, Youth Leadership and Education Thematic Lead GCA 
• Grace Muinga, Gender Specialist GCA 

Panel: Showcasing Stories of Young Women as Agents of Change 

• Stephanie Eyram Akrumah and Melissa Nana Adjoa Wusua Forson (Centre for Green Growth, Ghana), on founding an organization and promoting gender-responsive approaches in adaptation initiatives  
• Felicia Nja-Njobaya Motia (Nkwa4change Solutions, Cameroon) on protecting, securing and building sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable women 
• Nancy Kadenyi Chegero (MetaMeta Research, Kenya) on incorporating young women’s perspectives in natural resource management 
• Rahma Ibrahim (Climate School, Egypt), on founding a school and providing training on climate journalism, Egypt* 

Participant Engagement: Creating Opportunities for Young Women Leadership in Climate Adaptation 

CEO’S YOUTH ADVISORY PANEL MODERATORS 

• Rabeb Aloui, Tunisia  
• Anusha Seechurn, Mauritius