Gender inequality, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are deeply interconnected, with gender roles and power dynamics shaping who can access, manage, and benefit from natural resources, as well as who bears the brunt of environmental impacts. Applying a whole-of-society approach, including ensuring the participation and contribution of women, was a topic of discussion at SBI 5 and COP16 during multiple side events, the Women Forum and NBSAP Day. At the Women Forum, held for the first time during this COP, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership participated in a panel on resource mobilization, stressing the need for capacity building at the nexus of gender and biodiversity and referring to its MatchMaking Mechanism as an opportunity for technical and financial support.

During the conference, Global Affairs Canada announced its contribution to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s project “Accelerating systemic change for gender equality and biodiversity.” Canada’s support will help seven countries co-create solutions for stronger biodiversity protection and gender equality outcomes. The gender equality and biodiversity project champions gender-responsive National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), aiming to drive the systemic changes needed to achieve the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF). Its mission aligns closely with the CBD 2022-2030 Gender Plan of Action.

The KM-GBF introduction states that “successful implementation of the Framework will depend on ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, and on reducing inequalities.” KM-GBF Target 22 calls for “full, equitable, inclusive, effective, and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity.” Target 23 calls for gender equality in implementation through “a gender-responsive approach where all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute.” The new Canada-backed project contributes to gender equality and inclusive biodiversity action critical to implementing these targets.

The project’s objectives are threefold: 1) to build the technical and institutional capacity needed to integrate gender-responsive approaches into biodiversity policies and practices, 2) to increase the participation and leadership of women in multi-stakeholder workshops and the co-creation of country-specific solutions for gender-responsive biodiversity actions, and 3) to support global learning through knowledge sharing across partner countries, NBSAP Accelerator Partnership members, and CBD Parties and stakeholders.

Seven countries are ready to implement the project, including Antigua and Barbuda, Comoros, Costa Rica, Eswatini, Tajikistan, Thailand and Togo. A core team in each country will implement actions, including a CBD (Gender) Focal Point and key government representatives from ministries responsible for biodiversity and gender policies. Core teams will invite representatives from women’s groups, women’s rights groups, state institutions, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, youth groups, academia and research institutions to join multi-stakeholder workshops and consultations in each nation.

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Alliance of Bioversity International/CIAT will support implementing the 18-month project, starting in October 2024 and ending in March 2026.