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Janet Macharia
Janet Macharia
Topic: Mainstreaming Gender into Environmental Management Programmes
Janet is currently employed by the UNEP as the Senior Gender Adviser based at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Prior to joining the UN in 1997, she was employed as a Senior Lecturer at the Fac...
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Number of questions: [2]
Posted on 16/01/2008 08:53:55
Dear Janet,

Could you kindly give an overview of UNEP’s progress in implementing its Gender Programme of Action in all identified spheres of action. I am particularly interested in understanding progress to date in incorporating and mainstreaming gender in UNEP’s work, especially in the assessments it undertakes and its poverty-environment work.

Apologies for such a broad question. Thank you for what ever light you can shed on this.

Kind regards
Jennifer Mohamed-Katerere
Jennifer Mohamed-Katerere (from Indonesia)
Dear Jennifer,
Many thanks for your question.
UNEP’s Gender plan of Action has four spheres namely the policy, organizational, delivery and constituency spheres. It provides the “blue print” of how UNEP will not only stimulate, but also ensure that in-house and with partners, gender concerns are fully addressed and integrated into initiatives and polices for environmental management. A number of strategies and targets are outlined in the Plan of Action which runs from 2006 – 2010.

UNEP began implementing its Gender Plan of Action from late 2006 with a series of gender mainstreaming workshops for UNEP staff and senior management at the division and regional office level. As of December 2007 a strong Gender team composed of 40 representatives from the divisions and regional offices has been established. The gender team members are regular staff members who have been nominated by their senior management to work with the senior gender advisor in mainstreaming gender into UNEP work and, follow through the implementation of the Gender Plan of Action. Therefore at the organizational level we do have a strong gender team in place.

Underlying the successful implementation of each of the four spheres is the need to build capacity of staff and our partners so as to acquire skills and knowledge on gender mainstreaming. Therefore, for there to be meaningful change relevant gender mainstreaming methodologies should not only be developed but also utilized by staff. In this regard, UNEP has developed a one year capacity building programme on gender mainstreaming for all staff. The training under this programme will be undertaken using results based approach and will be focused on the UNEP priority areas and programme of work. It is intended that by the end of 2008 results on gender responsive programming in UNEP will be visible. At all stages we will work closely with our partners as we still need to develop and increase our constituency base so as to ensure that we are working from the same platform.

On the human resources side a Gender and Human resources group has been set to work closely on the relevant issues and will closely with the existing human resources unit.

warm regards,
Janet

Posted on 16/01/2008 02:36:10
Madam,
I am horrified and saddened by what I hear that is happening to women and their children in the war-torn countries of Africa. How can we ever expect human beings to care for the environment, if they can't care for each other? // Secondly, there is a connection between an increasing population and environmental impact. Please discuss how the UNEP is helping with family planning and the control of human population.
Amos Stone (from United States of America)
Dear Amos,

Many thanks for your question and I share your sentiments on the effects of conflict on women and children in war torn countries.

Many have felt that issues of environmental conservation should take a back seat especially when we have serious human rights abuses of untold levels being meted out on innocent human beings. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that one of the major causes of conflict especially in Africa is the fight for natural resources, causing mass displacement of populations, destruction of the environment for example of forests, water and energy sources which inadvertently has implications for the enjoyment of basic human rights.

Addressing the conflict and its effects on lives and livelihoods requires a multi-dimensional vulnerability analysis of the victims of conflict many of whom are forced into marginal ecological and economic areas. A vulnerability analysis would not only reveal risks, but also inextricable links between human rights abuses, food insecurity, lack of basic services, increased poverty and damaged livelihoods. For example, we know that women in refugee camps face sexual abuse when looking for firewood or water. Again looking at the living conditions (e.g. housing) does expose them and their families to various forms of abuse. The challenge is therefore is how we can make their living conditions safer (provide safer energy sources; water and improved sanitation) while at the same time ensure sound environment practices.

The UNFPA addresses issues of family planning and population growth. However, population growth decreases the per capita availability of natural resources which threatens the well being of many with implications for sound environmental management.

Regards,
Janet

    
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