Athena Denise Galao

First name
Athena Denise
Last name
GALAO
Email
[email protected]
Phone number
+66 97 150 1494
How do you self-identify or would like to be identified?
Woman
Do you belong to any ethnic minority group of self-identify as an indigenous person?
No
Affiliation, organization, or community
UN Women
Years of professional or activism experience or of knowledge built on specific indigenous expertise
10-15 years
Country of residence
Thailand
Languages
English
In which geographic region (and sub-region) does your work mostly focus?
South-Eastern Asia
Mitigation
Renewable energy
Adaptation
Agriculture and forestry
Early warning systems and Environmental assessment
Human health
Water
Climate technologies
Agriculture, forestry, land-use, fisheries
Water supply and wastewater management
Cross-sectoral enablers
Capacity-building and training
Communication and awareness
Economics and climate finance
Governance and planning (policy, regulatory systems)
Innovation, research, development and demonstration
Cross-cutting approaches
Community-based
Disaster Risk Reduction
Ecosystems and biodiversity
Gender
Do you have proven experience in gender and climate change issues?
No, my work/ area of expertise focuses on other climate related issues
Please provide your short bio reflecting on your academic, professional and practical background

Athena Denise Galao is a seasoned development practitioner with 15 years of experience in humanitarian action, disaster risk management, and climate change adaptation. Her work is anchored on integrating gender equality and human rights-based approaches to ensure inclusive and sustainable development. Throughout her career, Athena has provided strategic technical support to governments and civil society organizations, co-created tools and guidance, and facilitated knowledge production processes. Her efforts have strengthened capacities for gender-responsive climate action and promoted inclusive knowledge-sharing and accountability processes. 

Currently, Athena co-leads the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies programme, a joint initiative by UN Women and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This programme aims to accelerate gender-responsive and human rights-based climate and DRR actions across Asia and the Pacific, catalyzing partnerships that bridge various stakeholders to build resilience, with a focus on women and those most at risk. Athena holds a master's degree in Women and Development, grounding her approach in promoting intersectional strategies in disaster risk reduction and climate action. 
Provide a link to your LinkedIn account
https://www.linkedin.com/in/athena-g-46183350/
Are you interested in being contacted for any of the following
Panelist at climate change event
Advisory in technical assistance project
Contributor to research/publication
Interviewed by the media