Gender and the Environment

The triple planetary environmental crisis - of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste - affects everyone, everywhere, but not equally. It weighs heavily on women and girls, imposing on them disproportionate impacts. Furthermore, harmful gender norms, stereotypes, biases and discrimination exclude women and girls from participating in environmental decision-making and enjoying a fair share of nature’s benefits. This page aims at listing relevant information, research, and initiatives at the crossroad of gender and the environment from our partners in Geneva and other institutions around the world.

International Commitments to Gender Equality and to Sustainable Development

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China, in September 1995 – is a visionary agenda for the empowerment of women. It is the most comprehensive global policy framework and blueprint for action and is a source of guidance and inspiration to realize gender equality and the human rights of women and girls. The document contains a dedicated section on women and the environment.

The Beijing Platform established a number of objectives, including: active involvement of women in environmental decision-making at all levels; integration of gender concerns and perspectives in sustainable development policies and programmes; improving the assessment of development and environmental policies on women, including compliance with international obligations.

In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, governments reaffirmed the Beijing Platform for Action as a foundation for sustainable development and made a commitment to integrate gender perspectives in sustainable development policies and programme.

The gender-and-environment nexus is also increasingly acknowledged in international agreements.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on 8 March, is a time to reflect on progress made on gender equality, to call for change and to celebrate women’s contribution to numerous challenges around the globe.

The theme for 2026 is ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.‘ As we begin the second quarter of the 21^st century, no nation has closed the legal gaps between men and women. Right now, in 2026, women have only 64 per cent of the legal rights that men hold worldwide. In fundamental areas of life, including work, money, safety, family, property, mobility, business, and retirement – the law systematically disadvantages women. From harmful social norms to discriminatory laws, women and girls continue to face entrenched obstacles – even pushback – to equal justice. If progress continues at its current pace, it will take 286 years to close legal protection gaps. That is not a timeline, it’s surrender.

Without justice systems that work for women, rights become a promise that never arrives.

IWD 2026 marks a moment to amplify our collective determination. No matter how deeply rooted the sexism or how discouraging the politics, we refuse to step back or abandon our mandate. Instead, we climb together – for the rights and empowerment of all women and girls. This year, IWD 2026 calls for action to dismantle the structural barriers to equal justice: discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, and harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls.

International Women's Day 2026 | UN Women

Geneva Celebrations Surrounding IWD 2026

2026 Geneva Gender Debate

3 March 2026

International Gender Champions, Diplomatic Club of Geneva, Geneva Graduate Institute, European Union

Semaine de l’égalité 2026

3 – 13 March 2026

City of Geneva and Partners

Género y Cambio Climático (Gender and Climate Change)

4 March 2026

Geneva Graduate Institute

Science citoyenne au féminin : l’aventure des dessins de la Flor des Dames de Genève

4 March 2026

Conservatory and Botanical Garden of Geneva

Celebrating Women as Change-Makers Transforming Food Systems Delivering Triple Wins for Climate, People & Nature

5 March 2026

Climate Bridges

International Women’s Day: Critical Minerals, Critical Choices

9 March 2026

UNCTAD

Engineering equality: Women’s participation and decision-making in energy standards

9 March 2026

IEC

Women, Mercury, and Artisanal and small-scale gold mining

10 March 2026

Women4Biodiversity and MSP Institute together with the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 Photo Exhibition

16 – 23 March 2026

FAO Geneva, Ireland, Morocco, United Nations Office at Geneva

Women Ocean Guardians: Leading Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Blue Economies | International Women’s Month

25 March 2026

Germany, Costa Rica, Colombia, United Kingdom, Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International, Global Environment Facility, Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Geneva Environment Network

Previous editions of International Women’s Day focused on:

2025

For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment

2024

Invest in women: accelerate progress

2023

DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality

2022

Gender Equality for a Sustainable Tomorrow

2021

Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world

2020

I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights

2019

Think equal, build smart, innovate for change

2018

Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives

2017

Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030

International Cooperation on Gender and the Environment

While UN Women is the organization in the UN system dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, many other actors in International Geneva and beyond are actively working at the gender-and-environment nexus.

Mainstreaming gender – making women’s as well as men’s concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated (UN Economic and Social Council, 1997) – is essential to achieve the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its goal SDG 5 on Gender Equality.

Recognizing the importance of the gender dimensions of their work, multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) have taken steps to mainstream gender into their practice. These include:

The Gender Action Plan | UNFCCC
2015-2020 Gender Plan of Action | CBD
BRS Gender Action Plan | BRS Conventions
Gender Action Plan | Minamata Convention
Gender Action Plan | UNCCD
Guidance on Mainstreaming Gender under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands | Ramsar Convention

More information on these international efforts is provided in this section.

Women in Leadership

Women’s participation in decision-making is essential in environmental governance. The fourth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) recognized the importance of promoting gender equality and the human rights and empowerment of women and girls in environmental governance (EA.4/Res.17). The resources below provide relevant information on International Women’s Day and the role of women in environmental action.

Environmental decision making – decisions we make for people and planet – need to be inclusive and involve all voices, including equal voices from women. The triple planetary crisis – of climate, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste – places a triple burden on women. According to UN Women, climate-related extreme events can lead to increased violence against women and girls. And we know that biodiversity loss places profound pressures on women and girls as land managers and resource users. And as food producers, women are frequently at greater risk through endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pesticides, or persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme, on International Women’s Day 2021

#Women4Multilateralism |Delegation of the European Union and the Permanent Mission of Gabon in Geneva | 8 March 2022
Gender Heroes | BRS Conventions
Meet seven women saving the planet | UNEP | 5 March 2021
Women Leading the Plastic Revolution | WWF | 8 March 2021
Promoting gender equality and the human rights and empowerment of women and girls in environmental governance | UNEA-4 Resolution | 28 March 2019
Women’s Participation in Global Environmental Decision Making | IUCN & UN Women | August 2015
Women underrepresented in decision-making on climate change | UNESCO | 25 January 2016
Inclusion of women in decision-making on environment-related security challenges is key for equitable, safe and stable societies concludes OSCE event | OSCE | 5 July 2019
When more women are decision-makers, the environment wins | Lisa Marshall | University of Colorado Boulder | 21 March 2019
Gender and Environment Advocates Award Ceremony | Geneva Environment Network | 8 March 2017 (International Women’s Day 2017)
Inspirational Women in Geneva Working for the Environment | Geneva Environment Network | 8 March 2016 (International Women’s Day 2016)

International Gender Champions Geneva

The International Gender Champions (IGC) is a leadership network that brings together female & male decision-makers determined to break down gender barriers and make gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence. The initiative was co-founded by former UN Geneva Director-General Michael Møller, former US Ambassador to the UN in Geneva Pamela Hamamoto and Women@TheTable CEO/Founder Caitlin Kraft-Buchman in 2015.

The network numbers over 250 active Champions and 160 Alumni who are the heads of International Organizations, Permanent Missions, and Civil Society Organizations. Find news, events and champions of the Geneva Hub in the links below.

Geneva Hub | International Gender Champions
Champions in Geneva | International Gender Champions

The Gender and Environment Nexus

While men and women must work hand in hand to confront the environmental challenges of our time, considerations of gender and environment are crucial to our ability to achieve a just and sustainable future. Gender inequalities, such as weak rights to own land and reduced access to energy, water and sanitation facilities for women, have a negative impact on human health, the environment and sustainable development. Therefore, mainstreaming gender into the global environmental agenda is essential to strive for a healthier planet for all.

The Global Gender and Environment Outlook (GGEO), released by the UN Environment Programme in 2016, combines gender and environment perspective into a comprehensive assessment, and provides an overview of the links gender and the environment to inform policy decisions aimed at increasing gender equality.

Environmental change (…) has specific differentiated impacts on women and girls or on men and boys. Using a gender-specific approach to examine these complex linkages (which may be referred to as the “gender-and-environment nexus”) is therefore an appropriate way to investigate the dynamic relationships between environmental change and gender equality, as well as between impacts on sustainability and the realization of women’s rights and empowerment.

Global Gender and Environment Outlook, UN Environment Programme, 2017

Resources on the relevance of adopting a gender lens on environmental issues include:

Gender Equality and the Environment – Policy and Strategy | UNEP
Gender, inclusiveness and the SDGs | OECD
Gender and the Environment – Building Evidence and Policies to Achieve the SDGs | OECD | 21 May 2021
Global Gender and Environment Outlook (GGEO) | UNEP | 2017

Triple Planetary Crisis

To slow and adapt to climate change, protect and restore nature and biodiversity, reverse land degradation and desertification, and end pollution and waste, the world has adopted global deals that set agreed goals and targets: the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Global Framework on Chemicals. These important agreements include references to gender, including women empowerment, gender-responsive approaches, gender equality and participation of women and girls in decision-making.

The triple planetary environmental crisis affects indeed everyone, everywhere, but not equally. It weighs heavily on women and girls, imposing on them disproportionate impacts. Furthermore, harmful gender norms, stereotypes, biases and discrimination exclude women and girls from participating in environmental decision-making and enjoying a fair share of nature’s benefits.

Climate Change

Climate change impacts are gender-differentiated, as the social conditions of men and women in different places influence their resilience to increase in extreme weather and climate events. Gender-aware policies, especially in the context of climate adaptation, are thus important to address the specific needs of men and women. Although women offer valuable insights and solutions into better managing the climate and its risks, their contribution is often overlooked in humanitarian and climate action. Building a sustainable future entails harnessing the knowledge, skills, and leadership of women in climate action.

Gender and other social inequities (e.g., racial, ethnic, age, income, geographic location) compound vulnerability to climate change impacts. […] Addressing inequities in access to resources, assets, and services as well as participation in decision-making and leadership is essential to achieving gender and climate justice.

IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (AR6, WG3), Chapter 18

Bodies such as the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) have mainstreamed gender issues since its inception; and the UNFCCC Paris Agreement recognizes the intersection of climate change and gender equality, empowerment of women and realization of their rights.

Introduction to Gender and Climate Change | UNFCCC
Climate change and the environment | UN Women
Climate-Gender Impact Group | International Gender Champions
The climate crisis is not gender neutral | WMO | 16 February 2024
Women most hit by climate change effects – UNDP | The Star | 20 April 2022
Gender equality isn’t just a numbers game | UNDP | 31 March 2022
Gender is linked to the biodiversity and climate crises. When will our policies reflect this? | IUCN | 19 May 2021
Women bear the brunt of climate change | Geneva Solutions | 12 February 2021
International Women’s Day – Climate Justice & Gender Justice | Geneva Environment Network | 5 March 2020
Women’s Rights Obligations of States in the Context of Climate Change | CIEL | 2020
Policy brief: Empowering women in marine communities to mitigate the impacts of climate change | WWF | 26 September 2019
Women’s participation and gender considerations in country representation, planning and reporting to the BRS Conventions | IUCN, BRS & EGI | October 2017
Gender and climate change: Strengthening climate action by promoting gender equality | IUCN | November 2015
Gender and Climate Change: evidence and experience | CIFOR | 2015

Chemicals and Waste

Women and men are impacted differently by chemicals and through different routes. They have different experiences of dealing with sources of exposure, and different priorities, responsibilities and needs relating to the reduction of toxic chemicals and wastes. In many places, gender also impact levels of access to participation, decision-making, information, education or justice. Women and men can also play different roles in making decisions about pollution prevention, waste management, identification of sources of chemical exposure, and building a safer environment for communities. Therefore, understanding the relationship between gender and sound chemical management is important to establish effective projects and policies. This section provides additional references on the differentiated impact of chemicals and waste, as well as efforts to mainstream gender in chemicals and waste management.

Module on Gender, Chemicals and Waste | UNITAR
Gender – Overview | BRS Conventions
Integrating gender issues into the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions | BRS Conventions
Minamata Convention on Mercury & Gender | Minamata Convention
Gender mainstreaming | SAICM
Gender & Chemicals Knowledge Platform | Gender & Chemicals Partnership (G&CP)
Guide to Ensure a Gender-Responsive Action in Eliminating Plastic Pollution | World Economic Forum | May 2021
Three Experts on Why Eradicating Plastic Pollution Will Help Achieving Gender Equality | Kristin Hughes, Global Plastic Action Partnership | 31 March 2021
Make Gender Inequality and Mercury History | Minamata Convention | 8 March 2021
Gender inequalities exacerbated by exposure to hazardous chemicals | IPEN | 7 March 2021
Community of Practice Addresses Links Between Gender and Chemicals | IISD | 27 August 2020
Promoting gender equality a ” crucial contribution” in efforts to restore, protect our planet’s oceans’ | UNDESA | June 2019
How a gender strategy improves the management of chemicals and waste: implementation tools & best practices | WECF France | 9 May 2019
Women disproportionately vulnerable to health risks from chemical and waste pollution | BRS Conventions | 8 March 2019
Gender and the sound management of chemicals and waste | SAICM | 20 December 2017
Gender dimensions of hazardous chemicals and waste policies under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions | WECF International | June 2017
Mainstreaming Gender into UNDP-GEF Projects on Chemicals and Waste | UNDP & GEF | February 2017

Ecosystem Management

Gender indequality creates barriers to effective sustainable development and livelihoods by limiting or restricting women’s access to resources and decision-making opportunities. Thus, addressing gender gaps in ecosystems management is essential to achieve conservation goals, community wellbeing and human rights.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes the vital role women play in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Best practices in gender and biodiversity – Pathways for multiple benefit | UN Convention on Biological Diversity | 8 March 2022
Gender is the key: effective gender mainstreaming unlocks ‘Green List’ success in Protected and Conserved Areas worldwide | IUCN | 1 December 2020
Gender and the environment: What are the barriers to gender equality in sustainable ecosystem management? | IUCN | 23 January 2020
Marine and Coastal Communities and Ecosystems – Key messages from the GGEO | UNEP | 19 May 2018
Forests and Forest Ecosystems – Key messages from the GGEO | UNEP | 19 May 2018
Gender and Conservation | WWF

Water and Sanitation

Women and men everywhere are affected by water availability, access and quality, but in different ways due to prevailing gender roles and norms. In many places, women are in charge of collecting water, and are thus particularly impacted by environmental change and disasters. The health impacts are linked with water and sanitation. This section provides resources on the interlinkages of gender and environment in that area.

Domestic Water and Sanitation – Key messages from the GGEO | UNEP | 19 May 2018
What’s Gender Got to do with it? Global Gender & Environment Outlook – Water & Sanitation | GRID-Arendal | 11 April 2019

Energy

While the need for energy transitions is increasingly recognized due to the necessity of mitigating climate change, using a justice and gender lens to address this question is essential to create transitions for all. Both in developed and developing countries, energy poverty remains a gendered problem. Decision-making in the formal energy sectors is heavily gender-skewed, and policies are mostly gender unaware. Resources on this issues are found in this section.

Ensuring Justice in Transition: A Gender-Transformative Approach | 9 August 2025 | UNRISD, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) & Global Initiative for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (GI ESCR)
Energy – Key messages from the GGEO | UNEP | 19 May 2018
Gender and sustainable energy | UNDP | 17 April 2017
Energy and gender: A critical issue in energy sector employment and energy access | IEA

Food Security

Gender inequality is highly present in the current food system, in terms of access to and control over resources such as land and production inputs, access to information and technology, and food security. Closing the gender gap in these areas would increase productivity and generate a range of other social and economic benefits. Health issues related to poor diet or pesticide use are also more prevalent with women. This section provides information on the differentiated impacts of the food system on men and women, as well as the opportunities for improving food production systems through gender equality.

‘Getting gender right’ is essential for the sustainability of food systems | International Food Policy Research Institute | 4 Februaruy 2020 |
Food production and food security – Key messages from the GGEO | UNEP | 19 May 2018
Gender, climate change and food security | UNDP | 17 April 2017
Summary of the FAO policy on gender equality: Attaining food security goals in agriculture and rural development | UN Women | 2014
Focus on Women | Biovision

Human Rights, the Environment and Gender Equality

All people are born equal and free, as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and all people, regardless of gender, are endowed by virtue of their humanity with human rights and human dignity. However, climate change, biodiversity and habitat loss, and pollution threaten to destroy lives, economies, and entire cultures and societies.

Though these environmental emergencies threaten everyone’s enjoyment of human rights, they often have differential effects on the basis of gender. Discrimination and sociocultural norms, stereotypes and biases impair women’s and girls’ ability to enjoy fully all their human rights – including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It is incumbent upon us to work on two processes in the face of the triple planetary crisis: tackling systemic discrimination and tackling the climate emergency, biodiversity loss and pervasive pollution. Gender-transformative action is necessary to change the norms and systems that perpetuate inequality and discrimination. Women and girls need to be included in environmental decision-making towards ensuring a fair share of the benefits of nature and while being active agents in the fight against the triple planetary crisis.