In preparation for tomorrow -->

International Women's Day 2023: DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.

Today, a persistent gender gap in digital access keeps women from unlocking technology’s full potential. Their underrepresentation in STEM education and careers remains a major barrier to their participation in tech design and governance. This is particularly true in SIDS.

Join the ISLANDS Call to Action "Enhancing Gender Equality in Technology in SIDS" share your experience and make your voice heard!

I suggest to take BESG sustainable course of action to fight poverty and generate green funding resources, keeping gender equality in place at all levels of circular economy, particularly in ISLANDS. ISLANDS needs some particular nature & culture based solutions, which are unique to their social, cultural and geographic environment. Therefore, one solution fit for all is not applicable. Instead, go with unique approach for each of the ISLANDS country is necessary.

Women Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation

As highlighted in Margaux Granat post, Vanuatu - the country marked as the world’s most ‘at-risk’ for natural disaster - is currently seeking climate justice from the UN’s International Court of Justice.

Community leaders say Ni-Vanuatu women need a seat at the table.

Acknowledging the role women and girls play in climate adaption is paramount since they often take on the lion’s share of responsibilities when it comes to disaster preparation, response, and recovery in their community.

Female representation is also key: it was found that increasing women’s representation in national parliaments leads to the adoption of stronger climate change policies, resulting in lower emissions.

At ISLANDS, we share and amplify the voices of women leaders taking action for the environment in SIDS - hoping to create a global community of people (and friends) that can support each other. Want to engage more? Join our March campaign!

Greetings from Nairobi!
At the moment we are in Kenya for the SAICM IP4.2 meeting, where we are advocating for an ambitious (and gender-responsive) framework for the international management of chemicals and waste, and inviting other delegates to join our community!
If you have any recommendations, questions or comments on SAICM IP4.2, please let us know :)
You can find all information on the meeting here: http://www.saicm.org/Beyond2020/IntersessionalProcess/FourthIntersessio…

Cheers for Vanuatu's leadership in the Pacific region and globally! Vanuatu rallied and was joined by 105 States yesterday to demand the World's Highest Court--the International Court of Justice--to deliver an Advisory Opinion on Climate Justice. Vanuatu has been working on this for several months--initiated by a bold vision of Pacific students and youth--and have been joined by other members of a core group of climate and human rights advocates around the world to make history.
This is an incredible journey, demonstrating the leadership of the Pacific, youth, and collaborative engagement for securing the rights for people and planet.

The linkages between climate justice, environmental degradation, and human rights resonates with ISLANDS. These crises are intertwined and need to be address comprehensively. We need more youth, students and regional leadership, with allocated resources and spaces that value the contributions of these diverse voices. This can ensure just processes and outcomes in plastics, recycling, chemicals and waste management, land and ocean restoration, among others.

Are you part of this action collaborative? We would love to share stories from your experience, and bring examples of how to translate this advocacy and public awareness-raising into our ISLANDS work streams.

Our gender lens has to be very wide to include those people and groups being left behind. They need to be included and to participate and lets reach out and have a conversation with these people.

ISLANDS Campaign: Enhancing Gender Equality in Technology in SIDS

For international Women’s Month, the ISLANDS Programme is launching a campaign to spotlight women’s and girls’ leadership—as well as persistent challenges—in technology and innovation in relation to the sound and sustainable management of chemicals and waste in SIDS.

We will be sharing posts and resources on the community throughout the month, and we will ask for your contribution too.

Read the blog to find out more and stay tuned!

Speaking of women using technology to finding innovative solutions...
meet Tanya Beri a young woman from London who is developing an App able to notify users which Tube stations have the highest levels of air pollution.

The London Tube is used by up to five million people per day, but almost all of them are breathing in at least two times the amount of harmful particles deemed acceptable by WHO, and seven times as much if they are on the Central line.

Through the app, users will be able to see which Tube stops have the worst pollution and then choose a different route that has less. This particularly important for travelers with lungs conditions.

For reference, nearly 40,000 deaths per year across the UK are thought to be linked to long-term air pollution which is a major issue globally.

Read the article to find out more!