Environment and Gender Equality: A Call for Change
Bhubaneswar is buzzing with discussions about protecting our environment. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Kerala, Prakriti Srivastava, emphasized a key point at the 16th Odisha Environment Congress: gender justice is vital for effective environmental protection and tackling climate change.
Srivastava noted that women face significant challenges from environmental issues. They are often more impacted by climate change but have limited representation in environmental decision-making. The stark statistics back her claims: out of around 3,100 Indian Forest Service officers, only 284 are women. Even in the field, only about 5,000 of the 250,000 forest staff are women. This imbalance is concerning, especially as women play essential roles in forest conservation.
Aurobindo Behera, a former administrator, pointed to the pressing issue of balancing development and environmental health. He highlighted recent tree felling for the Baripada bus stand and urged a careful assessment of both the losses from deforestation and the gains from such projects.
The event, featuring discussions from notable figures like Vice-Chancellor Chandi Charan Rath and Gandhian activist Gayatri Das, aims to deepen understanding of these critical issues. Over three days, more than 75 experts and those passionate about the environment will share their findings.
Addressing gender inequality in environmental governance is crucial. A 2020 report from UN Women underlines that countries incorporating gender perspectives in ecological planning are more successful in their sustainability goals. This shows that promoting women in these fields isn’t just right; it’s smart.
Overall, the insights shared at this congress highlight a vital connection between gender equality and environmental sustainability. To protect our planet effectively, we must also uplift women’s voices in the conversation.
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