Guatemala presents strategy to incorporate gender considerations in climate change
December 2 2020 – Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) today presented the Government’s strategy to incorporate gender considerations into climate change in support of the National Determined Contribution (NDC).
The initiative seeks that women are part of climate-related actions and decision-making. In addition, it encourages the country to develop measures and policies with differentiated approaches so that women and men have access to, and are involved in the conservation of, nature’s goods and services.
The presentation was led by Minister Mario Rojas Espino; the Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Fredy Chiroy; Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Ana María Díaz; the Director of Climate Change at MARN, Luisa Tabín; and the coordinator of the Gender Unit of the portfolio, Marleny Oliva.
Rojas Espino acknowledged that it is necessary to take measures against climate change and that they involve the entire population, mainly women. "Addressing this issue from a gender perspective is essential for us," he said.
The minister said that it is a priority to incorporate gender considerations into plans, policies and programs to reduce inequality gaps.
The strategy was developed in compliance with institutional priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). MARN, as rector in climate change, environment and natural resources, will be able to present a Nationally Determined Contribution updated and with affirmative gender actions.
Vice Minister Chiroy explained that the approach to climate change from a gender perspective is imminent. "The strategy presented today constitutes a valuable contribution to advance integration," he stressed.
For his part, Díaz affirmed that the UN Development Programme is convinced that the empowerment of women and inclusion in decision-making is one of the most effective responses to face the effects of climate change.
"This would not have been possible without the leadership of MARN staff, who conducted a participatory design, managing to integrate a strategic approach to gender contributions within the NDCs," concluded the representative.
The director of Climate Change and the coordinator of the Gender Unit agreed that the strategy is an inclusive proposal that involves women. It addresses the strengthening of capacities, internal and inter-institutional coordination, and mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change with an emphasis on the participation of women.
To develop the strategy, a group of volunteer experts was formed, who set objectives and incorporated gender considerations, capacity building, and an implementation plan.
For MARN, the participation of women in a differentiated way represents advantages for promoting social, economic and environmental initiatives that contribute to reducing the effects of climate change.
This article first appeared on Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) website https://www.marn.gob.gt/noticias/actualidad/MARN_presenta_estrategia_para_incorporar_consideraciones_de_gnero_en_cambio_climtico
To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and eradicate poverty and inequality, it is essential to address the dual threat of climate change and disasters. Learn how UNDP is support Guatemala to build climate resilience and work towards a risk-based, carbon-free and sustainable future at PNUD Guatemala and UNDP's NDC Support Programme website.
