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There have been many advances in international governance for the environment and gender equity over the last decade.  International environmental treaties now recognize the central role of women as stewards of the natural world, as do the action plans adopted by international conferences, including the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.  Despite these paper achievements, actual on-the-ground practice in most countries and communities around the world have not advanced nearly far enough.  Bridging this divide will require greater efforts to translate international commitments into policy changes at all levels of governance, as well as in and project practice.  In this final column on gender and environment we observe some recent developments which promote the active participation of women in environmental management.

2004 Nobel Peace Prize
A recognition of link between peace and the environment as a pillar of sustainable development, and of women’s role in safeguarding the environment, came in 2004 when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Professor Wangari Maathai, founder of the Kenyan-based Green Belt Movement.

The Green Belt Movement is a community-based development and environmental organization with a focus on community mobilization and empowerment.  It seeks to eventually improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty.  Since its founding in 1977, the Movement has created a national network of 6,000 village nurseries, designed to combat desertification, restore soil health and protect water catchment areas. About 20 million trees have been planted by the Movement’s 50,000 women members.

The Green Belt Movement was one of the first efforts to incorporate the links between gender and natural resources within a grassroots environmental campaign.  The trees provide women with shade and windbreaks for crops, improved water resources, food and income, as well as skills and autonomy. 

Global Women’s Assembly on Environment
The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) first Global Women’s Assembly on Environment: Women as the Voice for the Environment (WAVE) convened from 11-13 October 2004, in Nairobi, Kenya.  Over 150 participants from 60 countries attended the Assembly.  Joint meetings of the Assembly were held with the Network of Women Ministers for the Environment meeting, "Women in Charge of the Environment", which included Ministerial representation from Swaziland.  These highlighted the crucial role of women in promoting: women’s leadership in environment; the participation of indigenous, rural and urban women in decision making; a gender-culture-environment; local-global linkages; environment and health linkages; and capacity building and education. 

Tools for Gender Equity
In a further effort to help translate international commitments and conventions into realistic grassroots action the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has prepared a series of publications, "Toward Equity" which covers different aspects of gender and the environment is now available from the Yonge Nawe Information Centre.  These include concrete suggestions and recommendations for incorporating a gender equity perspective into every stage of the project cycle that are applicable to NGOs in all sectors. 

Summary
In this series of articles we have highlighted the impact that gender prejudice can have on livelihoods and on the environment.  By looking at examples from biodiversity and desertification we have shown the urgent need to consider gender in environmental protection and conservation.  Ultimately it is not a question of pitting women against men or of placing an extra burden of environmental regeneration on the shoulders of women, but of combining efforts that lead to better, happier, more peaceful societies.

Watch this column for further articles on environment and sustainable development issues in Swaziland.

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