WHAT
A one-hour press conference to be held during the fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-4) to celebrate International Day of Biodiversity 2024 and to launch two essential documents to advance gender equality in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).
First, Women4Biodiversity will launch its in-house publication, “Gender Equality and the Convention on Biological Diversity: A Compilation of Decision Text COP1- COP15” in English, Spanish and French.
Second is the “Training Module on Advancing Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the Implementation of the Kunming Montreal-Global Biodiversity Framework,” which was prepared in collaboration with WWF.
Click here to get more information on SBI-4.
WHERE
Press Room, Ground Floor, United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)
WHEN
Thursday, 23 May 2024
13:30 hours East Africa Time. Please convert your time and date here.
FORMAT
Hybrid.
Online via YouTube Livestream. Livestream link here
WHO
The speaker panel consist of,
- Cristina Eghenter, Global Governance Policy Senior Expert at WWF International
- Alejandra Duarte, Policy Associate at Women4Biodiversity
- Rodah Rotino, Women’s Caucus Representative from Africa and President of the Pastoral Communities Empowerment Programme (PACEP)
- Ronja Fischer, Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN)
WHY
The compilation of the COP gender-decision texts aims to inform decision-makers, negotiators, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women, youth, civil society, business, and all stakeholders involved in the planning, monitoring, and implementation of the KM-GBF. It will also highlight the progress made in incorporating gender considerations since the inception of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) across its various negotiation areas.
The gender-equality training module hopes to offer an additional tool for strengthening capacity, sharing, and learning on gender equality and gender-responsive implementation of the KM-GBF. The module is designed for civil society, governments, other stakeholders, and those interested in biodiversity conservation, women’s rights, gender equality, climate change, and sustainable development.
SUMMARY OF THE EVENT
The press conference was the official launch of Women4Biodiversity’s in-house publication, Gender Equality and the Convention on Biological Diversity: A Compilation of Decision Text COP1- COP15, and the training module on Advancing Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the Implementation of the Kunming Montreal-Global Biodiversity Framework, which was prepared in collaboration with WWF.
The press conference started with, Alejandra Duarte, Policy Associate at Women4Biodiversity, introducing the Gender Equality and the Convention on Biological Diversity: A Compilation of Decision Text COP1- COP15. Gender equality has been recognised as a critical cross-cutting issue in major Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). Still, women’s involvement at the decision-making and policy level remains unsatisfactory, and their access to and control over natural resources is severely limited. The main objective of the publication was to serve as a source of information for decision-makers, negotiators, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, women, youth, civil society, businesses and the whole of society engaged in the planning, monitoring and implementation of the Biodiversity Plan.
Rodah Rotino, President of PACEP, a Kenya-based women-led NGO, discussed indigenous women’s contribution to biodiversity conservation. She stressed that indigenous knowledge needs to be propagated and passed on to future generations for retention and preservation. However, all efforts will not bear fruits if gender equity is not guaranteed. Rodah further expressed that women are resilient and often the first to adapt to changes. Although we have different views and expertise, we must move together to preserve and sustain biodiversity.
We, as Indigenous women, are not vulnerable. Vulnerability happens in a vacuum, and we don’t have that vacuum. We have our indigenous knowledge systems that drive us.
Rodah Rotino, President of PACEP
Ronja Fischer, representing the youth perspective from GYBN, stated that girls are the intersection of youth and women. Key actions like intergenerational equity, a human-rights-based approach, and transformative education are vital for inclusive and sustainable biodiversity conservation. To shift towards transformation, Ronja stated that we need to live in harmony with nature and include the perspectives and needs of girls worldwide. Ronja recognised the usefulness of the COP Gender Decisions compilation as a tool that can be helpful for negotiations and will be used by many actors.
When the focus moved to the training module, Advancing Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the Implementation of the Kunming Montreal-Global Biodiversity Framework, Cristina Eghenter, Global Governance Policy Senior Expert at WWF International, expressed that
the training module was meant to build understanding, mutual knowledge, and awareness to mainstream gender-responsiveness in implementing the Biodiversity Plan at national and subnational levels. This tool is meant for gender equality advocates, civil society, governments, and various focal points. The training module, which is in the final stages of finalisation, is encouraged to be embraced and adapted to the local context. Cristina hoped it would help to understand the gaps and what needs to be done for women to be a part of the Biodiversity Plan.
Adding to Cristina’s comments, Mrinalini Rai, Director of Women4Biodiversity, also explained that the module was created to be simple so that it can be understood by all and be customised as per the context, community or country. Mrinalini also moderated the press conference.
