Despite their vital role as environmental stewards, women remain significantly underrepresented in biodiversity decision-making and disproportionately affected by biodiversity loss and climate change. This is especially true for Indigenous women and those from Afro-descendent or local communities.
In response, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership launched the project, Accelerating Systemic Change for Gender Equality and Biodiversity Conservation through NBSAPs. Funded by the Government of Canada, the project supports seven countries in implementing gender-responsive NBSAPs, advancing biodiversity conservation and gender equality in line with GBF Targets 22 and 23 and the CBD Gender Plan of Action 2023-2030.
Partner countries
Objectives
Enhance institutional and technical capacity on gender equality and systems thinking.
Increase the participation and leadership of women, especially from Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Support global learning and the sharing of knowledge and best practices on gender-responsive biodiversity actions.
How it works
The project facilitates a participatory process in each partner country to develop country-specific solutions at the gender-biodiversity nexus. Country core teams, composed of CBD (Gender) Focal Points and key government representatives lead national implementation. They receive international training on gender equality and systems thinking to strengthen technical capacity.
Partner countries also host stakeholder workshops and consultations with women's rights groups, Indigenous Peoples groups, local communities, relevant state institutions, youth groups, academia and research institutions. Together, these stakeholders jointly identify priorities and co-create national solutions to integrate gender equality into biodiversity policies and actions.
The finalized solutions are submitted to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership's MatchMaking Mechanism, which connects them with technical and financial support. Insights and experiences are shared across the partnership network and beyond to advance gender-responsive biodiversity action.
How it works
The project facilitates a participatory process in each partner country to develop country-specific solutions at the gender-biodiversity nexus. Country core teams, composed of CBD (Gender) Focal Points and key government representatives lead national implementation. They receive international training on gender equality and systems thinking to strengthen technical capacity.
Partner countries also host stakeholder workshops and consultations with women's rights groups, Indigenous Peoples groups, local communities, relevant state institutions, youth groups, academia and research institutions. Together, these stakeholders jointly identify priorities and co-create national solutions to integrate gender equality into biodiversity policies and actions.
The finalized solutions are submitted to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership's MatchMaking Mechanism, which connects them with technical and financial support. Insights and experiences are shared across the partnership network and beyond to advance gender-responsive biodiversity action.
Why it matters
Section C of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) recognizes that “successful implementation of the Framework will depend on ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, and on reducing inequalities.” Included in the GBF, Target 23 is the first target to specifically address gender equality in biodiversity conservation, and Target 22 highlights the importance of the inclusive participation of women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.
The corresponding CBD Gender Plan of Action 2023-2030 calls for measures related to NBSAPs and the GBF, including building capacity for gender-responsive NBSAP implementation, using gender-responsive stakeholder engagement processes, adopting gender-responsive monitoring, addressing gender data gaps and using gender-specific indicators, and documenting best practices and lessons on gender-responsive implementation in national reports.
Timeline and partners
After an inception phase from October 2024 to February 2025, the project will be implemented from March 2025 to March 2026 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT–a non-state member of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.
Resources
- Project Two Pager: Accelerating Systemic Change for Gender Equality and Biodiversity Conservation through NBSAPs EN | FR
- Gender Equality Brief: Placing Gender Equality at the heart of the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- CBD Global Biodiversity Framework
- CBD Gender Plan of Action 2023-2030
For more information contact us.