Pope Francis: ‘Women move mountains!’

Marking International Mountain Day, Pope Francis invited all men and women of goodwill to protect and care for mountains and commented on the theme for this year’s observance: “Women move mountains”.

By Linda Bordoni

“Today is International Mountain Day,” said Pope Francis speaking after the Sunday Angelus, an observance “which invites us to recognise this wonderful resource for the life of the planet and humanity.”

He expressed appreciation for the theme chosen this year for the International Day which is “Women move mountains.”

“It is true: women move mountains! And this reminds us of the role of women in caring for the environment, in preserving the traditions of mountain peoples. From mountain people we learn the sense of community, to walk together.”

International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day, marked annually on 11 December, is an opportunity to promote gender equality and therefore contribute to improving social justice, livelihoods and resilience. 

The theme of this year's International Mountain Day (IMD) is "Women move mountains."

As noted on the International Day’s website women play a key role in mountains’ environmental protection and social and economic development.

“They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture, and experts in traditional medicine.”

It also notes that increasing climate variability, coupled with a lack of investment in mountain agriculture and rural development, has often pushed men to migrate elsewhere in search of alternative livelihoods. Women have therefore taken on many tasks formerly done by men, yet mountain women are often invisible due to a lack of decision-making power and unequal access to resources.”

"International Mountain Day 2022 is an opportunity to promote gender equality and therefore contribute to improving social justice, livelihoods and resilience. "

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