AU-IBAR will from 5-7 October, 2022 convene a workshop in Naivasha, Kenya to “Identify priority issues and actions for enhancing the role of women in aquatic biodiversity and environmental management”. The event is being implemented under the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy’ Project, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
The overall objective of the workshop is to discuss pertinent issues relating to the role of women in aquatic biodiversity and environmental management and validate priority issues and actions for enhancing their roles for effective conservation towards formulating continental strategy. Specifically, the following objectives will aim to be achieved:
1. Identify women, gender and youth sensitive issues for mainstreaming in the four result areas of the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy project.
2. Identify and document existing continental, regional and national policies for including gender perspectives in aquatic biodiversity and environmental management.
3. Determine Policy considerations for enhancing the role of women, gender and youth in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management
4. Identify and document ongoing initiatives / projects on aquatic biodiversity and environmental management with focus on gender inclusivity in the various AU-MS.
5. Identify and document initiatives that are implementing nature-based solutions to minimizing impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity and the role women play in the initiatives.
6. Identify and document pathways to promote Private sector and Women’s representation in climate change decision-making institutions at national, regional levels and continental levels.
7. Identify and document priority issues and actions for enhancing the role of women in aquatic biodiversity and environmental management.
8. Determine key priority areas for intervention and collaboration by AU-IBAR.
Several stakeholders are expected to attend; notably: stakeholders related to gender and biodiversity and environmental management sectors, considered as subject matter experts from the different AU-member states. These will comprise of representatives from Government, ministries and agencies; RECs; Specialized regional intergovernmental institutions; Conservation and management institutions; NGOs; private sector, Women and youth groups.
In order to develop effective solutions for conserving biodiversity, gender differentiated roles of natural resource management must be fully analyzed to ensure that women’s and men’s specific knowledge in these areas are being equally integrated into programs and policies. Subsequently, women’s equal access to rights and engagement in decision-making processes on resource management must be promoted. By strengthening the role and participation of women in policy and decision making, they have the potential to contribute highly to achieving conservation goals for sustainable development (www.wedo.org).
Photo: @2020Fabio de Sousa
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