News facts
Launched by the Women and Gender Constituency in 2015, the Gender Just Climate Solutions Award honours the fundamental contribution of women in the fight against climate chaos and demonstrates the necessity to integrate gender equality in all climate policies. The awards highlight technical solutions, participatory approaches, citizens' based initiatives and transformational solutions.
“The CTCN is very proud to support the Gender Just Climate Solutions Award for the third time this year. It is an excellent opportunity for us to support this global movement as we strive to ensure that our response to climate change is not only effective, but also inclusive. The CTCN is committed to ensuring countries have the means to adopt and develop impactful climate solutions, by empowering both men and women as change-makers. The inspiring examples we hear today also show us that beyond being beneficiaries of targeted climate action, women and girls who gain equal access to technologies, knowledge, finance and other resources, become powerful implementers and accelerators of climate action”, said CTCN Director Dr. Rose Mwebaza, who announced this year’s Gender Just Climate Solutions Award in the category of “Technical Solutions”.
CTCN together with WECF and national development institutions, also invited 14 award winners to its annual 2-day workshop during COP25, to share experiences and expertise on climate technology and finance mechanisms, as well as on how to expand and grow their exemplary initiatives. This networking and mentoring programme aims to positively impact national climate policies by contributing outstanding gender responsive actions.
Winners:
Technical solutions. UNIVERS-SEL, Guinea-Bissau, France
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. ENDA COLOMBIA, Colombia
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 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. CAMEROON GENDER AND ENVIRONMENT WATCH (CAMGEW), 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 counseling on their rights, business opportunities and community sensitization to counter early marriages.