Sadhviji Speaks in the high-level Panel Discussion, “From the Global to the Grassroots: Why Climate Action Needs Women, Religious Actors and Local Partners” during United Nations Convention on the Status of Women

Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, played an active and important part in a vital UN CSW66 Side Event, “From the Grassroots to the Global: Why Climate Action Needs Women, Religious Actors and Local Partners”, that was organized by Global Affairs Canada and the International Partnership for Religion and Development (PaRD) to broaden the discussion about the importance of these group’s active participation in dealing with the climate crisis. She joined Moderator Shahin Ashraf, MBD, Head of Global Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide; Jennifer Heys, Head of Cooperation in the Eastern Caribbean for Global Affairs Canada; Helena Gualinga- Young Ecuadorian Indigenous Advocate; Patriciah Roy Akullo – ACT Uganda Forum Coordinator; and, Professor Patricia Kameri-Mbote, UNEP Director – Law Division in articulating the role that religious convictions play in stewarding the environment, and how women’s active participation in those convictions and in faith and religion throughout history create a powerful opportunity to increase awareness, change behaviour and implement policy and process – especially since their demographic is most-impacted by the effects of climate change.

Pujya Sadhvji stressed during  the need for a new and expanded definition of peace, one that called for ‘not only refraining from killing each other with bombs, missiles and guns but also not allowing our sisters and brothers to perish from polluted air, water, and soil”. She also shared the imperative that “we must live in harmony and balance with all creatures,” and urged community support in faith-based organizations that, traditionally, are “rich institutions providing socio-economic support to all people everywhere.”