A CEESP virtual dialogue took place exploring prior assumptions of the pandemic, the current situation and its impact on gender: issues of inequality, violence, access to education, health care, livelihoods and financial independence.

The COVID-19 outbreak brought new threats to indigenous peoples and rural communities, as well as exacerbated violence, in particular against women and girls, as quarantine conditions has made unsafe homes even more dangerous.

The recording of the Dialogue is available below, as well as an Infographic summarizing some topics discussed during the Dialogue, including 1) challenges, 2) lessons learned, 3) recommendations for IUCN, and 4) calls to action. 

As a community we have been speaking of the need for transformational change – let us work together now to ensure we follow a thoughtful sustainable path. IUCN will continue to engage with women and men across communities to build and implement safe and gender-equitable solutions.

Photo: Ana Valerie Mandri Rohen & IUCN CEESP

Virtual Dialogue Panelists: 

• Itzá Castañeda Camey - IUCN Gender Advisor (Mexico); 
• Kame Westermen, Senior Gender Advisor, Conservation International; 
• Mahfuza Akter (Mala), Gender Justice & Social Inclusion Program, Oxfam Bangladesh; 
• Enamul Mazid Khan Siddique, Head of Climate Justice & Natural Resource Rights, Oxfam Bangladesh;
• Senator (Retired) Javed Jabbar, Founding President Baanhn Beli, Former IUCN Global Vice President, Pakistan

Remarks and Moderation by: Meher M. Noshirwani, Regional Vice Chair Asia & Specialist Group on Gender, IUCN CEESP; Kristen Walker Painemilla - Chair of IUCN CEESP

* The CEESP Specialist Group on Gender focuses on Gender equality in conservation, and works to ‘strengthen the understanding of and promote the full achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment in conservation and sustainable development policy and practice, including gender-based violence and environmental linkages.’