At the 2009 World Social Forum” Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) and CGIAR Systemwide Program on Collective Action and Property Rights (CAPRi) facilitated a workshop titled Women's rights” forests and climate change: New Urgencies” Old Problems.  

This event brought together Forum participants to discuss the pressures women face as countries and communities implement measures to counter climate change. The event focused on strategies that can be taken to ensure that the rights of women are not overlooked or undermined.  Strategies suggested by participants include:

• Raise awareness that the inhabited areas can provide for livelihoods” for example” from banana leaf” bee honey” clay and mud (for handicrafts).

• Promote dialogue between universities and women's movements to research” teach” and develop relevant questions to discuss in groups.

• Put in practice all local knowledge in order to have a sustainable income.

• Raise awareness of women about the importance of sustainable harvesting so that they can earn their livelihoods from nature with out using up the resources.

• Educate and reeducate

• Knowledgeable of regulation and laws

• Increase visibility of actions developed by women and exchange experiences

There are continuing issues that women face in fulfilling their daily duties as food gatherers” knowledge keepers of food” medicinal plants” seed and cultural practices. Climate change makes these challenges worse” but can also be seen as a window of opportunity to address them. 

A short film was also discussed during the workshop.  The film was produced by Jeffrey Hatcher of RRI” Stephan Dohrn of CAPRi” and Mrinalini Rai of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation.  Through interviews with women involved in climate change dialogues” the film showcases the intersection of women's rights and livelihoods with the growing pressures of climate change.