Conversations and narratives around gender equality in sustainability, including chemical and waste management, often remain entrenched in modern-day colonial dynamics and structures of programming, policies, and practices.

There has been a concerted effort to disrupt this framing in recent years. This is of course led by grassroots and local groups in marginalized countries and communities, with increasing support and action by international development partners and NGOs, who often are the perpetrators of the framing. Even if no longer explicit, this opinion piece makes clear implicit bias continues to exist limiting the very support, resources and resilience needed to overcome barriers in sustainability, resource efficiency, and women’s rights and equality.

This is critical from global to local levels, with equitable and just stakeholder engagement key in this regard. Having local entities in programs leading planning and action that supports solutions co-created on the ground, based on the lived experiences of vulnerable populations (or at least in proximity), moves away from reiterating stereotypes and malpractices in our communities…both online and with our stakeholders on the ground. This is ISLANDS intent through our communities here on the Green Forum, and supporting diverse stakeholder engagement throughout planning and implementation processes.

Are there stakeholders you think we need to have participating and can invite to this group to ensure we are co-creating opportunities for all in ISLANDS?

Read more about this in the opinion piece from the CEO of Women Deliver, a prominent international NGO focused on women’s rights, on how changing the narrative--as well as the programming--around environmental degradation should re-focus on the overconsumption of natural resources by high-income countries “as a lifestyle rather than a lifeline” to support equitable shifts for girls, women, and those bearing the brunt of the environmental crises around the globe.