The Women2030 program – a celebration of impact!

On the 4th and 5th of March 2021, Women2030 coalition and country partners gathered virtually to celebrate the end of the Women2030 program, which was funded over the last five years by the European Commission’s Directorate-General of International Partnerships (DG-INTPA). The Women2030 program was part of efforts in the drive towards adopting a gender transformative Agenda2030 and climate policies. The meeting was a learning webinar organized for the purpose of sharing the lived experiences of the people implementing and benefiting from the project. The image above is a graphic recording of the webinar, that captures the diversity and struggles of Women2030 partners.

On the first day, program partners from local and regional organizations shared incredible stories of change from their local communities. Many stories touched on different areas of the project’s impact, such as the capacities built, policies improved, and mindsets changed. Some of the emerging themes included: Women rising as advocates and defenders for environmental stability; the recognition of women as actors in decision-making with local and national governments; and women’s solidarity and feminist movement building.

On the second day, national partners and implementing partners at the grassroots level discussed the lessons learned and the key takeaway points from the entire program. During our reflection sessions, the participants created paintings on the impacts of the program in their different contexts. Participants also reflected on what feminism and movement-building on women’s rights meant to them and to the societies that the live in. Partners shared stories of their struggles on gender, human rights, and women’s rights, and the dynamics of how they play out within their various communities.

The major take-home points for the participants included: An understanding of the different perspectives on gender and feminism, and how they can take ownership of these terms to bring about transformation in their various localities; and identifying women’s rights issues in natural resource management and exploitation.

Looking ahead, we need to maintain open conversations on these subjects. It is clear that the transformative benefits of feminist movement-building are far-reaching and must be strengthened as we continue to fight for women’s empowerment and gender equality.

To keep up-to-date with GFC’s work on women’s rights and empowerment, see our Gender Justice and Forests campaign page. 

8 Apr, 2021
Posted in Resources and publications, Women2030, Gender Justice and Forests