Image IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis

International Women’s Day -- 8 March 2021

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. It is clear that women’s leadership is a critical element in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Women’s leadership is necessary to ensure the future we are working towards is one that will enable desired outcomes for nature and ensure equality for all. 

Putting a spotlight on the need for women’s leadership at all levels of decision-making and action on biodiversity emphasizes its importance for achieving transformational change. The ambition driving the development of the post-2020 agenda for biodiversity stems from the recognition of the dire state of the natural world and the little time remaining to change course.

Effective leadership is a requirement for transformational change, and as such, so is the equal engagement of those who have long been excluded from these fora, particularly women, as well as other marginalized groups.

Women’s leadership and their full and effective engagement in the development and implementation of the framework is critical for the successful achievement of the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature. Those shouldering the greater share of the costs arising from biodiversity loss must have equal opportunity to lead decision-making processes related to biodiversity at all levels, and must be supported to have the capacity to do so effectively.

 

Activities on International Women’s Day 2021

Celebrations

The UN’s official International Women’s Day commemoration event will be hosted online on Monday 8 March from 10:00am – 12:30pm EST. It can be viewed here:

Click here to learn more about International Women's Day

 

Watch a video

National Geographic has released an inspiring short video which celebrates all the women who fearlessly push boundaries and inspire the next generation of change makers. The video is titled, "Women Who Inspire".

 

Take a Quiz

The International Water Management Institute has put together a quiz on the role of gender in water and sanitation – see how much you know!  

Click here to take the quiz

 

Join the Conversation Online

 

More information:

Gender and Biodiversity

Guide: Addressing Gender Issues and Actions in Biodiversity Objectives

Statement