15 May 2023
The blog discusses the groundbreaking case of KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland, which is being heard by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). This case represents the first instance of a climate change lawsuit being decided by a human rights court, with a focus on women's health rights. The plaintiffs, a group of senior women, are suing Switzerland for its failure to protect them from the adverse effects of climate change, particularly heatwaves. They argue that as women, they are more vulnerable to these impacts and that Switzerland's lack of action violates their right to health as defined by the European Convention on Human Rights. The case highlights the interconnectedness of gender inequality, climate change, and health. It emphasizes the urgent need to address climate change as a women’s health rights issue and underscores the responsibility of governments to reduce health inequities experienced by women. A favorable ruling could have far-reaching implications for women's health rights and advance the understanding of the role of health rights in international climate litigation.