Women in Environmental Sciences (WiES) and The UN SDGs: A Catalyst for Achieving a Sustainable Future for All

Abstract

Women can serve as catalysts needed to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development agenda by 2030. The Women in Environmental Sciences network engaged women from culturally and professionally diverse backgrounds at two workshops held in the UK in 2018 and 2019. The interdisciplinary environmental sciences’ meeting included presentations by leading women in academic and non-academic organizations. Through breakout sessions, effective interaction, and discussions between professionals and grassroots, an atmosphere of “leaving no one behind” was created. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 55 years and more than 65% of the participants were under 35 years old, representing the productive working group. The mixed group of young and the old, academic and non-academic women provided a basis for insightful and lively discussions needed to bridge the gap between information disseminated to professionals and non-professionals, to students, and early career researchers. In this article, the following information are presented: Relevant literature in view of gender equality and environmental aspects, summary of the talks and discussions, how the talks aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and sub-targets, issues identified and avenues for change, evaluation and some quotations from the participants. The article showcases the opportunity for the implementation of SDGs in all organizations through the promotion of integrated discussions on environmental science aspects, gender, equality, diversity, inclusion, partnerships needed to inform effective policy changes at local, national, or global levels. This article provides insights to professionals/non-professionals, governmental, non-governmental organizations, higher education institutions, and local communities and women. By providing a summary of the talks and their alignment with SDGs, the Women in Environmental Sciences provide new ways of engagement required at these times to develop applied and strategic research, and open a dimension of how the SDGs can be implemented to cope with changing environmental conditions.

The Coordination of Environmental Protection and Female Discrimination Based on the Concept of Affirmative Action

“…In the process of practice, this policy has strengthened the traditional gender inequality model, and the consideration of social gender is conducive to the liberation of women and the construction of ecological civilization in the real sense. In the process of policy implementation, the promotion of gender equality should be combined with the protection of the environment for human development, and the concept of neutrality in policy implementation should be changed [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. In summary, the prominent gender factor can promote the effective implementation of the policy and must be addressed.…”

Pendidikan Alternatif dalam Pemberdayaan Perempuan: Kontribusi Komunitas Epistemik Payungi dalam Membangun Pengetahuan

“…Meskipun isu-isu tentang perempuan telah menjadi perhatian publik (Medupin 2020;Agarwal 2018;Ilie et al 2021;Figueroa-Domecq, de Jong, and Williams 2020), terbatasnya ruang belajar, diskusi, dan dialog, membuat perempuan (Ibu Rumah Tangga) berpotensi besar menjadi objek yang terus tersubordinasi. Kondisi ini secara ekonomi akan mempersempit akses perempuan untuk mencapai sebuah kesejahteraan (Karoui and Feki 2018).…”

Women in Green Chemistry and Engineering: Agents of Change Toward the Achievement of a Sustainable Future

“…Gender inequity is currently recognized as a prominent barrier to sustainable development; out of the 232 unique indicators toward the UN SDGs progress, 54 are classified as gender indicators . The UN SDG 5 (Gender Equality) is also acknowledged as central and will compromise the fulfillment of all other goals if not achieved. , Women are important agents of change whose contributions in economic, social, and environmental systems are crucial for the achievement of a sustainable future (Figure ). In this editorial, written on the occasion of the 2022 International Women’s Day, we want to make the case for how a more systematic integration of women within all aspects of green and sustainable chemistry and engineering is paramount to preserving and improving our planet.…”

“…However, 30 years later, while significant improvements were measured, we still perpetuate gender inequity, resource scarcity, and poverty. Sustainability goals can only be achieved if the role of women in sustainable chemistry and engineering as the agents of this systemic change is fully recognized, acknowledged, strengthened, and drastically amplified. , A comprehensive approach including all marginalized scientists is also needed for a truly systemic change. Addressing our current environmental challenges requires reducing all inequalities in STEM, not just gender-related ones, thus promoting the advocacy and support of scientists from all backgrounds and parts of the world …”