Mekong - U.S. Partnership
Over 30 women and men from six Asia-Pacific countries came together from November 25-30 to enhance their gender leadership and analytical abilities in the context of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and Climate Change. The Asia-Pacific Leadership Program on Gender and Climate Change/REDD+ was organized by the USAID-funded Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests (LEAF) program in collaboration with Women’s Organizing for Change in Agriculture & Natural Resource Management (WOCAN) and helped participants assess conventional leadership assumptions and their effects on gender-friendly solutions in forestry and climate change.
Inadequate attention to gender equity seriously limits the sustainability of solutions being implemented in the forestry and land-use sector. Participants from national level government agencies, civil society organizations and women’s groups outlined a mentorship plan aimed at applying lessons from the training. To assist in these efforts, participants created an Asia-Pacific network of gender and REDD+ leaders: "A gender champion can catalyze true and lasting change. We are forming the nucleus of an important new network for gender champions across the region," explained Carrie Thompson, USAID/RDMA Deputy Mission Director.
Related Website: The Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests (LEAF) program
Source: USAID/RDMA Regional Environment Office Weekly
