A seminar held in Lahore underscored the critical importance of empowering women and marginalized communities by providing access to environmental information, education, and participation in decision-making processes to achieve climate justice and build resilient communities. The event, organized by the Ecumenical Commission for Human Development (ECHD) in collaboration with the Children Education Welfare Foundation (CEWF), was part of the project “Stewards of the Earth: Upholding Communication Rights for Climate Justice.”
Participants and Discussions
The seminar brought together a diverse group of attendees, including young girls and women from marginalized communities, female inspectors from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Punjab, civil society representatives, environmental advocates, and community leaders. During the discussions, participants highlighted the increasing challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation, and pollution. They emphasized the urgent need to ensure that vulnerable groups, particularly women, have access to environmental information and opportunities to contribute to policymaking and environmental governance.
Keynote Address
Punjab Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaquat stressed the importance of involving women and youth in efforts to address environmental challenges. She stated that the Punjab government is committed to promoting environmental sustainability and public participation. She added that young women and girls must be recognized as key stakeholders in climate action and included in shaping a greener and more resilient future.
Project Coordinator's Remarks
Project Coordinator Wajahat Batool highlighted the close relationship between communication rights and environmental justice. She explained that climate justice extends beyond environmental protection and requires ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to the knowledge, resources, and platforms needed to understand and respond to climate-related challenges. Strengthening communication rights, she added, is crucial for building resilient and informed communities.
The seminar also noted that over 9,565 violators have been arrested for kite flying in Punjab, reflecting ongoing enforcement of environmental regulations. Additionally, the PAC-I has ordered a report on the illegal conversion of agricultural land into housing societies, a move aimed at protecting valuable agricultural resources.
