LEGAZPI CITY, Albay—A public forum here highlighted the vital role of women in biodiversity conservation and disaster risk reduction (DRR), stressing the importance of gender-inclusive environmental initiatives.
The event in celebration of National Women’s Month brought together over 100 participants, with more than half being women to share knowledge and co-develop gender-responsive strategies.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) held the public forum.
This activity is part of efforts in Region V to integrate gender equality and social inclusion in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and genetic resources.
The ABS framework ensures that communities—especially Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)—receive fair and equitable benefits from the utilization of their biological resources and traditional knowledge. Recognizing women’s unique contributions to environmental stewardship and their lived experiences in disaster-prone areas is critical to ensuring the success and sustainability of the ABS approach.
Experts highlighted women’s crucial role in environmental protection. They said that women’s extensive traditional knowledge contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation and disaster response efforts. However, they also acknowledged the heightened vulnerabilities women face during disasters and called for improved policies, resources, and representation to address these challenges.
Henry A. Abawag, Stakeholder Engagement and Gender Specialist of the GEF-UNDP-DENR ABS Project, cited the interconnections between gender, DRR, and biodiversity conservation.
He stressed that disasters are not solely about hazards but also about vulnerabilities, particularly those affecting women. Abawag called for gender-responsive DRR strategies, the adoption of nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience, and strengthened biodiversity conservation efforts through the ABS framework.
UNDP Philippines News
He discussed how ABS empowers communities by ensuring equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, and creating opportunities for women’s leadership in environmental initiatives. UNDP Philippines News
