Parliamentarians Must Speak With One Voice on Climate, Says Pap’s Gabala

Parliamentarians must translate declarations into tangible action if the global response to climate change is to align with the lived realities of citizens.

This was the message from Ms Mariam Dao Gabala, Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament's Committee on Gender Equality, Family, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, who co-chaired the second P20 Meeting of Women Parliamentarians in Kleinmond.

"A lot still has to be done to translate policies into action in order to resolve the reality lived by each citizen. We must transform declarations into actions while we build a common voice," she told delegates. Ms Gabala also urged parliamentarians to strengthen parliamentary debate and ensure that gender remains central to policymaking.

The meeting, held under the theme "Women's Leadership in Climate and Energy Justice", is taking place ahead of the 11th Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) scheduled for 1-3 October 2025 in Kleinmond.

Presenting Australia's declaration to the meeting, the country representative said that in Australia, every policy and piece of legislation is developed through a gendered lens. "Women's inequality is felt deeply, and issues of climate change are deeply felt in the Pacific nations. Vulnerability affects everyone. The Pacific nations experience high sea level rises due to global warming. All of the issues are genuine and are a challenge in the Pacific," she said.

The representative emphasised that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls. "Gender inequality permeates all our lives and Australia is working hard to reverse the trend. It is up to us to make the change in our countries, but also to contribute globally." She noted that Pacific nations were among the most affected and that Australia supported them in addressing climate change challenges.

South Africa's delegate, Ms Mapule Dlamini, who is a Permanent Delegate to the National Council of Provinces, stressed that gender inclusion must drive the Just Energy Transition. "Clean energy must be an opportunity to advance gender equality and social inclusion. Policy must be grounded in the lived reality of women and under-represented groups," she said.

Another delegate representing Mauritius warned that women face immense challenges in accessing financing to lead in the energy transition. "We are at a crossroads. The global transition energy is not about kilowatts and carbon emissions. It is a profound social and economic transformation. It is about building a new world - a world of clean energy that is sustainable, equitable and just for all. Yet, as we raise solar panels and wind turbines, a pertinent question looms: who is driving this revolution and who is being left behind."

The second P20 Meeting of Women Parliamentarians brought together delegations from Angola, Botswana, China, India, the UK, Turkey, Russia, Spain, and the European Union, among others.

Sibongile Maputi
30 September 2025