At COP30 the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said: “Protecting forests and oceans is not charity. It is a legal and moral responsibility. Let’s honour that duty. By safeguarding these foundations of life; investing in nature’s recovery, and ensuring that people and planet thrive together_ now and for generations to come.”(7/11.025)

ICW uses the United Nations definition of Habitat as human settlements and urban areas. We know there are other habitats where other species have their homes, like a tree, a forest or forested mountain ranges. The broader contexts for our human habitats are the ecosystems in which we live, which impact our habitats, and in turn we have impacts on those ecosystems.

Of course, globally we need to ”take urgent action to combat climate change’ (SDG 13). We need to consider also, more regional and local habitats and ecosystems, like water catchments and forested areas.

In places where there are likely to be more severe droughts, then how we store and manage water matters. This is happening for Tehran. Countries experiencing water supply stress are: Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Cyprus, Oman and Qatar. Management of water supplies,  reducing over-extraction are important factors.

Typhoons (hurricanes or tropical cyclones) have been smashing into Vietnam, and have wreaked havoc in the Philippines. A news report about Cebu showed, once again, roads as raging rivers, homes and businesses inundated or smashed, and a brief reference to deforestation/ mass logging of forests. One report noted “For generations, Cebu was covered in thick mountain forests that protected the land. Those forests held the soil, absorbed heavy rain, and slowed down water before it reached the lowlands.” “Today, less than 2% of Cebu’s natural forest remains.”

“What we are seeing now is not just a natural disaster. It is the result of choices made long before the storm formed over the sea.” (Ref Cebu Technological University).

What happens in nearby habitats and ecosystems can and does have consequences elsewhere.

What happens to surviving women and girls if their home is smashed, they probably have no money, water is contaminated, and their losses would cause great distress and put them in vulnerable situations?

We need to examine and question regional and local governments about:

1. Ensuring all people including women and girls receive sufficient early warning alerts.
2. Retention or restoration of forests as critical habitats.
3. Restoration of riparian zones, which are the zones along river banks and water courses.
4. Keeping urban drains clear of debris and rubbish.
5. Providing for flood outflow. For example, river silt build-up can choke river outflows.
6. Providing for women and girls to have safe shelters in the aftermath of disasters.

National Councils of Women can take active roles in raising these issues regionally and locally.

The International Council of Women – ICW-CIF, an NGO in consultative status with United Nations
Economic and Social Council – ECOSOC – has been committed to advancing women’s equal rights and
empowerment since its inception in 1888. ICW-CIF firmly believes that the attainment of gender
equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are indispensable keys to facilitating global
progress and sustainable development.

The theme chosen this year by UN WOMEN to mark the International Women’s Day “For ALL women
and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” has been the essence of ICW-CIF vision……

Read more – ICW-CIF Statement to Mark International Women’s Day 2025 March 8th, 2025

National Council of Women of Australia ICW Advisor Nomination Form

Instructions for Submission:

• Submit the completed form with all required attachments to NCWA for board approval.
• Once approved by NCWA, the President will submit the application to the International Council of Women (ICW).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For further inquiries, please contact info@ncwa.org.au

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ICW ADVISOR NOMINATION FORM

]]> https://ncwa.org.au/application-form-for-attendance-at-the-icw-ga-2025/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:44:23 +0000 https://ncwa.org.au/?p=5500 Application Form for Attendance at the ICW General Assembly 2025 The International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) will hold the General Assembly 2025 from 23 to 29 June 2025 in Marrakesh, […]]]>

Application Form for Attendance at the ICW General Assembly 2025

The International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) will hold the General Assembly 2025 from 23 to 29 June 2025 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The General Assembly of the ICW meets every three years to evaluate the status and development of women around the world, assess the activities and progress of ICW affiliates in promoting the current triennial theme, and establish a new triennial theme. The Regional Councils also use this global gathering to hold their meetings. Another key objective of the conference is to strengthen this global network of women by reinforcing ties of friendship and cooperation among affiliate members.

The event will feature a hybrid Annual General Meeting (AGM), where attendees can participate in person or via Zoom.

Application Information An official delegation consists of ten members from International National Councils of Women. As in years past, NCWA has required applicants to gain approval from their Constituent Council’s Executive/Board to join the official delegation.

Due to anticipated high interest in attending and participating in the ICW General Assembly, NCWA is implementing a fair and transparent selection process. All interested individuals must complete this form and obtain formal approval from their Constituent Council for their participation.

Completed forms must be submitted to the NCWA Board at: info@ncwa.org.au by Wednesday, April 16th, 2025.

Instructions for Submission:

•  Submit the completed form with all required attachments to NCWA for board approval.
• Once approved by NCWA, successful applicants will be notified of further participation details.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

]]> https://ncwa.org.au/icw-cif-ga2025/ Mon, 09 Sep 2024 04:59:47 +0000 https://ncwa.org.au/?p=5324 ICW-CIF 2025 ICW-CIF is thrilled to announce the General Assembly 2025 will be 23 to 29 June 2025 in Marrakesh, Morocco.  The General Assembly of the International Council of Women […]]]>

The following declaration was made by the members of the International Council of Women, at the 6-9 November 2023, participating in the ICW-CIF Executive Committee Meeting.

Declaration

ICW-CIF Executive Committee Meeting
Manila, 6-9 November 2023

We, the members of the International Council of Women, gathered here in Manila on 6-9 November 2023, participating in the ICW-CIF Executive Committee Meeting with the theme of “Women’s Empowerment: Peace and Sustainable Development,” are deeply concerned about the suffering and the high costs caused by armed conflicts and the violations of human rights of women and girls in the forms of gender and sexual violence, displacement, other harm, injury and death arising from the increasing conflict and unrest around the world. We, therefore, call for the cessation of all armed conflicts and the re-establishment of peace and security in the world.

Recalling ICW-CIF resolution on peace in Edinburgh 1938, “Collaboration between the Nations in Favour of Peace,” the Declaration at the Executive Meeting in Brussels 1946, and the Statement at the Executive Committee Meeting in Malta 2014, the ICW-CIF reaffirms its whole-hearted opposition to war as a means of settling international conflicts as well as its longstanding faith in the necessity for international collaboration through dialogue, mediation, and negotiation to arrive at peaceful solutions of the problems. We condemn the crimes committed against humanity and the dignity of the individual before, during and after war and look forward to the restoration of a just and durable peace.

ICW-CIF strongly advocates for the implementation of the three key pillars of UN Security Council Resolution 1325: participation, protection and prevention and emphasizes that it is the primary responsibility of each individual state to protect its populace and ensure their individual human rights while reiterating the significant function of the United Nations Security Council to maintain international peace and security. We call attention to the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and firmly believe that more active participation of women in governments, international organizations, and peace-building processes is beneficial to create sustainable peace.

The International Council of Women urges the Member States of the United Nations to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2493, adopted on 29 October 2019, which reaffirms UN commitment to continuing and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889, 1960, 2106, 2122, 2242 and 2467 on women, peace and security. The Council further encourages its members to advocate for and participate in peace processes so that women and women’s perspectives are represented in and contribute towards conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace negotiation and peace building efforts.

Manila, November 8th, 2023

Martine Marandel
ICW-CIF President

Download The Declaration

ICW-CIF stands up for all women and girls struggling to access and preserve their fundamental rights to education, economic independence and self-determination and joins with other national and international organizations for that ultimate goal.

Most notably, our ambition to attain the global Sustainable Development Goals depends on our actions for peace! Read more.

2023 International Day of Peace

Read more on what is happening with our sisters in NZ from the May Edition of Circular..

https://www.ncwnz.org.nz/tags/circular_may2023