“The Index has now become increasingly significant for all the development cooperation players, when it comes to the protection of the fundamental rights of millions of women and children”. The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marina Sereni, said as much while presenting the WeWorld 2021 Index, adding: “Climate change is multiplying certain global crises like poverty, the scarcity of food and water, and the conflicts for control of vital resources, without considering that it will also be the main cause of migration, since about 40% of the world’s population, 3 billion human beings, live in areas stricken by these problems”.
“In developing countries – Vice Minister Sereni explained – women are often particularly vulnerable. It is therefore essential to respond to the environmental and humanitarian crises caused by climate change to implement strategies specifically designed for them. That is why, during its Presidency of the G20, Italy has focused on the subject of gender equality. In turn, Italian Cooperation has developed and adopted guidelines for the emancipation of women and girls, as well as for their equal rights. With regard to children, – the Vice Minister went on – they are obviously the most fragile and vulnerable to extreme weather events. We have the responsibility to help these children and these women to respond effectively to the challenge of climate change. Mitigating its effects in certain parts of the world thus becomes one of the main priorities of Italy’s Development Cooperation, in addition to protecting the rights of women and children, and ensuring their access to food, water and education”.
“Italy – Vice Minister Sereni added – is committed to protecting children from natural disasters and guaranteeing them quality education. Our commitment is to promote the full development of human capital and resources as the key to ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth. Indeed, the language of the WeWorld Index is very clear: there is still much to do to bridge the gap of exclusion, above all of women and children, in many countries. The road to improving the conditions of the poorest countries – she concluded – is often fraught with obstacles, but the results obtained must serve as further stimulus to us to implement the goals of the 2030 Agenda in the shortest possible time”.
