About this Discussion

Women play a critical role in sustaining communities and managing natural resources, but their contributions are often undervalued and neglected. Women are also more likely than men to live in poverty, and they are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and other environmental hazards, especially in developing countries. Because women tend to be more vulnerable to the impacts of natural resource degradation than men, environmental protection and green policies can help improve gender equality, with many economic and social co-benefits.

Numerous studies indicate that improving gender equality and women’s participation in the workforce can have a positive impact on economic growth. It can also enhance productivity, improve development outcomes for future generations, and increase the quality of societal policies and institutions, including more representative decision-making.

Achieving gender equality is so important that it is one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to redress the disproportionate impact on women and girls of economic, social and environmental shocks and views women as central actors, recognizing that their knowledge and collective action can improve resource productivity and encourage the sustainable use of natural resources. 

To ensure a just transition towards green economies, it’s also critical to maximize social co-benefits and embed inclusion, which means ensuring that all—across gender, age, income levels, geographies—have access to opportunities and can participate meaningfully in this sustainable economy. This notably includes inclusive circular economy and just transitions policies, supporting integration of informal workers, empowering women and youth, and strengthening small enterprises and community actors.

This community discussion aims to explore how we can ensure gender and social inclusion and equitable access to its benefits, such as employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, and participation in inclusive value chains.

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Gender and Social Inclusion

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Catherine Senyolo commented on Catherine Senyolo's Post in Gender and Social Inclusion

We have just launched a community project we call Green Chics. It is an environmental education for women and children because we believe that households also have a critical role to play on a local level. Most importantly to stimulate and provide environmental ECD brain building interactions between primarycare givers and children to develop new green habits. I am open to welcome any ideas to help us further improve our programme. We are now developing discussion content therefore I would especially welcome any information about household level climate change mitigation.

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Does anyone know where we can access free pictures showing impact of climate change in South Africa. we would lie to print those pictures to stimulate a discussion with the parents groups at our day care centres. 079 0209 253 also on whatsap. [email protected]

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Clara Mottura commented on Luisa Kim's Post in Climate Change, Gender and Social Inclusion

Many of the discursive practices we consider given often go unexamined. Even a conceptual understanding of space, and how different communities engage with ecosystems present complexities that must be acknowledged. How can we envision an inclusive transition that doesn't speak for, or speak in place of the vast histories of land and peoples?

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https://www.iied.org/decoloniality-new-ethics-climate-nature

On 11 February, the United Nations, alongside partners worldwide, will mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Recognizing the role of women and girls in science, not only as beneficiaries, but also as agents of change, the 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly will focus on the following topic: "Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us."

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https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/

Survey of gender bias in the IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change needs to do more to include the expertise and voices of women, even as numbers and policies improve. Although the numbers of women involved in writing IPCC reports have increased steadily since the 1990s, a gender imbalance and barriers to women’s participation persist.

Why does this matter? Fair representation and broad expertise are essential when considering an issue as global, urgent and cross-cutting as climate change.

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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00208-1?utm_campaign=Carbon%20Brief%20Daily%20Briefing&am...

How can we identify gender gaps in current and future recovery measures? The integration of gender-transformative policies is necessary in driving a sustainable and inclusive recovery. Read more about the challenges and opportunities for gender policies in the European Green Deal:

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https://www.globalwomennet.org/why-the-european-green-deal-needs-ecofeminism/

How can Nature Based Infrastructures (NBI) be a game-changer for women?

Women have long faced a greater burden from a changing climate compared to men, which exacerbates many other inequalities.
Women often face barriers to accessing and control over natural resources as well as being underrepresented in environmental decision making and natural resources management. Due to these disadvantages, women are less likely to benefit from NBI projects.

However, a recent IISD report illustrates why a gender-responsive approach toward ecosystem-based adaptation and NBI has proven benefits and shows how practitioners and policy-makers can implement it.

Hence, the upcoming NBI Global Resource Centre aims to work closely with women stakeholders, integrate their knowledge, and train them in NBI and climate adaptation.

Read the blog to find out more!

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https://www.iisd.org/articles/nature-based-infrastructure-powerful-tool-womens-empowerment-climate-a...
Clara Mottura commented on Luisa Kim's Post in Gender and Social Inclusion

How can we address the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs? With the pandemic, existing barriers have intensified to further impede women's ability to start, sustain, and expand their businesses. What steps can be taken to enhance the enabling environment for women entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific region?

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https://www.unescap.org/blog/disappearing-businesses-and-long-road-recovery-catalyzing-womens-entrep...

Improving educational, health, and economic opportunities for women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa is imperative to unlock the region's potential for sustainable growth. To improve future productivity, vulnerable groups' access to education and basic health must be prioritized.

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https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2021/12/Africa-Unleashing-Women-Girls-Human-Capital.htm

A green economy transition in sub-Saharan Africa would enable women to benefit from primary-level jobs, but not higher-paying positions in the renewable energy, infrastructure, or transportation sectors. What needs to be changed to remove the constraints women face in accessing education, formal-sector work, and financing solutions?

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https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/can-women-benefit-green-jobs-yes-says-report-...