A landmark event took place in the heart of Nairobi on 28 May 2024, bringing together environmental advocates and gender equality champions for the side event “Enhancing Gender Responsiveness in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)”. Hosted by the CBD Women’s Caucus and supported by a coalition of committed organisations, this meeting was a powerful demonstration of the global commitment to integrating gender considerations into biodiversity strategies.

Laying the Groundwork

The event was held in response to Decision 15/6, adopted at COP15, which underlined the importance of NBSAPs as key instruments for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Parties are required to update their NBSAPs in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and submit them by COP16. This update is not just a procedural exercise; it is an opportunity to weave gender equality and human rights into the very fabric of national biodiversity strategies.

The session began with an introduction from moderator Ms. Fatima El Aaraby from Moroco, who set the stage for an engaging and insightful discussion. El Aaraby highlighted the importance of gender-responsive strategies in biodiversity conservation and introduced the esteemed panelists.

Voices from the Panel

Ms Milka Chepkorir from the ICCA Consortium was the first to speak, emphasising the need to involve indigenous women in the development of NBSAPs. She gave poignant examples of how indigenous knowledge is critical to biodiversity conservation and must be respected and integrated into national strategies. Milka’s passionate call to amplify the voices of indigenous women resonated strongly with the audience.

Next, Ms Laura Bermudez and Ms Tatiana Olmedo from Colombia presented their country’s innovative approach to gender-responsive NBSAPs. They discussed extensive consultations with local communities, with a particular focus on women’s groups. By incorporating the perspectives and experiences of women at the grassroots level, Colombia aims to create more inclusive and effective biodiversity policies. They shared success stories of local initiatives that have empowered women and strengthened biodiversity conservation efforts.

Mr Mwayi Mkanthama from Malawi presented his country’s efforts to integrate gender into biodiversity strategies. He described how Malawi is working to ensure that women’s contributions are recognised and valued in national reports and policies. Mwayi emphasised the importance of capacity building and training for women in biodiversity, which has led to increased participation of women in decision-making processes and conservation projects across the country.

Ms Solemne Bouchard from Canada provided a detailed overview of the country’s legal framework to support gender-responsive NBSAPs. Highlighting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Gender Budget Act and gender analysis tools, Solemne demonstrated how Canada ensures that its policies are informed by an intersectional lens. In addition, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, which allocates a significant portion of bilateral development assistance to gender equality, was presented as a best practice for integrating gender into environmental strategies.

The final panelist, Ms. Cristina Eghenter from WWF International, provided practical insights into tools and guidance for developing gender-responsive NBSAPs. She stressed the importance of mutual capacity building and culturally appropriate responses. Cristina highlighted the role of civil society organisations in supporting governments and making resources accessible and contextually relevant. She emphasised: “It’s about more than policies – it’s about changing mindsets and empowering communities at the grassroots level”.

The panel discussion was followed by an engaging Q&A session, moderated by Fatima El Aaraby, where participants, both in person and online, posed questions to the five panelists. This interactive exchange of ideas highlighted practical challenges and innovative solutions for making NBSAPs gender-responsive.

NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Flash Workshop

A highlight of the event was the Flash Workshop organised by the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership and coordinated by Hande Ayan Khanijo. The workshop provided a platform to share opportunities for engagement and support in the development and implementation of gender-responsive NBSAPs. Participants discussed strategies and tools to accelerate the integration of gender considerations into biodiversity action plans, and fostered a collaborative environment for shared learning and support.

Event Wrap-Up

The event concluded with powerful closing remarks from Amelia Arreguin, Coordinator of the CBD Women’s Caucus, who reiterated the importance of gender equality in biodiversity conservation and encouraged continued efforts to integrate gender considerations into NBSAPs.

Olivier Rukundo, Head of the Peoples and Biodiversity Unit at the CBD Secretariat, gave the closing remarks. He underlined the CBD’s commitment to supporting Parties in their efforts to prepare gender-responsive NBSAPs and stressed the importance of continued cooperation and dialogue.

As we move forward, the insights and shared experiences from this event will be crucial in shaping national biodiversity strategies that are not only effective, but also equitable. The journey towards integrating gender considerations into biodiversity conservation is still a work in progress, but with events like this, we are taking important steps towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.

WATCH THE RECORDING HERE https://youtu.be/kjMKVR6EAdM