By WECF
We are proudly announcing this year’s annual winners of the Gender Just Climate Solutions Awards.
Launched by the Women and Gender Constituency in 2015, the Award honours the fundamental contribution of gender equality and women’s organisations in the fight against climate chaos and demonstrates the necessity to integrate gender equality in all climate policies. Gender just climate solutions are already happening, transforming communities all around the world. Each year we select three winners and launch a publication showcasing outstanding projects.
The 2019 awards winners are:
Technical solutions winner – UNIVERS-SEL: Ancestral know-how and innovative technologies help women producers of salt and rice preserve the mangroves
This project improves the lives of women and communities in the mangroves of Guinea-Bissau, through sustainable use of space, energy and natural resources. 2000 family farms, 75% of which are managed by women, have adopted sustainable salt collection and rice production methods, with solar energy and reduced water consumption. Thanks to the sharing of ancestral know-how and innovative techniques and capacity-building activities, women producers contribute to structure and develop the salt and rice value chain in the mangroves. 1500 women and 500 men have gained in autonomy through increased revenues and their integration into the local economy, while adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Non-technical solutions winner – ENDA COLOMBIA: Women waste pickers and community organisations of Bogota building a sustainable and inclusive city
Started in 2012, this initiative shows the way for gender-responsive urban policies, addressing the challenges of solid waste management in the poor suburbs of the capital of Bogota. 26 women waste pickers have accessed a decent job and are recycling over 30 tons of paper and 12 tons of plastic annually in these suburbs. 3520 citizens are involved in participatory planning, urban gardening, cultural and artistic activities and the creation of ‘Bankomunal’ – a community savings and credit initiative for women who do not have access to formal banking. Trainings on gender inequalities and masculinities, local public policies and citizen’s participation, allows beneficiaries to exercise their democratic rights to protect their cultural heritage, contributing to the peace process in Colombia.
Transformational solutions winner – Cameroon Gender and Environment
Watch (CAMGEW): Transforming gender relations and turning to sustainable resource
use in the Kilum-Ijim Forests of Cameroon
CAMGEW engages local and ethnic women in sustainable forest management, while enhancing their human rights and transforming patriarchal gender relations in the forest communities. Cooperating with Oku local authorities and the government of Cameroon, CAMGEW gives women the opportunity to assume leadership positions of forest institutions and stakeholder platforms. They provide a broad range of trainings to over 2000 people: environmental education for schools and adults, bee farming, agroforestry and organic farming, livestock breeding and biogas production, entrepreneurship skills with financial assistance. CAMGEW helps 800 young women fight domestic violence through counselling on their rights, business opportunities and community sensitisation to counter early marriages.
Transformational solutions mention of honour – FUNDAECO: Sexual and reproductive health and rights as a basis for conservation action
FUNDAECO breaks traditional cultural barriers to ensure the sexual reproductive health rights of adolescent girls in more than 100 Mayan and Q’echqi communities of Guatemala, as a fundament for their involvement in forest conservation. 22 health clinics, established in Protected Areas of Izabal, have provided regular care and counselling to 50,000 patients (2/3 women), significantly reducing teenage pregnancies, and strengthening women’s leadership. Support provided in maternal and infant feeding, and hygiene are linked to environmental protection activities, i.e good eating habits using natural resources, or sustainable waste management. Strategies were also implemented to prevent forced migration. A scholarship and youth leadership program contributes to end discrimination of women with formal and informal education.
About award
Each winner has received a grant of 2,000 Euros, travel support for one representative to attend COP25, mentorship from the members of the Women and Gender Constituency (WGC), and opportunity to participate in a skills training workshop held by CTCN. Being the 5th year running, this year we had 140 applicants, from 60 countries, 3 winners.
Continued collaboration
The Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) is inviting the winners from 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 to a workshop on up-scaling gender just climate solutions, sharing of climate technology and finance. This is a continuation of our capacity-building cooperation initiated at COP23 and builds on south-south and technology knowledge sharing. It is a closed event but journalists are invited to come and interview the winners.
Publication showcasing the outstanding projects
Download the publication in English, Spanish and French.
Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) – We are a nonprofit network dedicated to a gender just and healthy planet for all. Our international network consists of over 150 women’s and civil society organisations implementing projects in 50 countries. We believe that a sustainable future and environment needs holistic solutions reflecting the lives of people on the ground. We believe in feminist solutions based on our partners’ visions and needs. That is why we work on transformative gender equality and women’s human rights in interconnection with climate justice, sustainable energy & chemicals, less toxic waste, safe water & sanitation for all.