Notification 2016-043

Dear Madam/Sir, The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity would like to invite Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, international and civil society organizations and other groups to submit information, including case studies, on recent or ongoing initiatives addressing issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment in relation to biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, access and benefit sharing or biosafety. Case studies demonstrating successful outcomes as well as those that offer valuable lessons learned for gender mainstreaming related to biodiversity policy, planning and programming are requested. Relevant examples include biodiversity policies and programmes that incorporate or are specifically designed to address gender inequalities; efforts to build partnerships or capacity for gender mainstreaming; and increased gender sensitivity in implementing work or project/programme development, among others. Information submitted may be in the form of short write-ups (from one to five pages) following the sample format provided below, and can include already prepared or published case studies. Information on initiatives operating at international, regional, national, sub-national or local levels are all welcome. The submission of project pictures and video links are also welcome. The compilation of this information and case studies is intended to strengthen the knowledge base on gender and biodiversity. The studies compiled will be made available to Parties and partners in various forms, including through communications products and the CBD website. Where necessary, further information may be requested from submitting organizations. Please note the format and examples provided in annex to this notification are for explanatory purposes only. Submission of relevant information or case studies is still encouraged even if information is not available on all areas identified in the format. Timeframe for contributions: Case studies and best practices are welcome on an ongoing basis, to inform gender mainstreaming activities underway through 2016, and in the lead up to the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to be held in Cancun, Mexico, from 4 to 17 December 2016. Please note that all submissions should preferably be submitted in a word processing format and sent to the Secretariat at secretariat@cbd.int. Thank you for your cooperation and for your continued support for the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. ANNEX A: Case Study Format, with examples 1. Project Description/Overview 1.1. Background and Context 2. Key Strategies employed/Activities undertaken Examples: Institutional Strengthening / Capacity building, training / Innovations in Technology and Process / Economic Empowerment 3. Results/Impacts 3.1. Biodiversity Impacts Examples: Protection or Restoration of ecosystem or natural resource / Link between conservation activities and livelihoods 3.2. Socioeconomic Impacts Examples: Empowerment of women, community / Training and Access / Food Security/ Income Security/ Health improvements / Job Creation 3.3. Policy Impacts (Local and/or National Levels) Examples: Policy reform / Increased women’s participation in the decision making arena / Harmonization of government policies and regulations with traditional practices of local communities 4. Sustainability and Replication Examples: Increased community and household resilience / Plans for expansion / Information sharing efforts / Potential to sustain positive impacts long term 5. Monitoring and Evaluation Examples: Collection of sex-disaggregated data / Gender-sensitive indicators employed 6. Lessons Learned/ Outcomes 7. Remaining Gaps/Challenges 8. Key Partners Examples: Key Donors / Strategic Partnerships

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, Nagoya Protocol and Cartagena Protocol Focal Points, intergovernmental and international organizations, non-governmental organizations