International Women's Day: Breaking the bias
A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination is the theme of this year's International Women's听Day (8 March). A much needed call听for attention everywhere, but听also in particular in the water management sector, and more specifically in transboundary waters.
香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 partnered with the Geneva Graduate Institute听on establishing links between a gender responsive approach, transboundary water cooperation and blue peace, based on the听香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播听Building River Dialogue and Governance听(BRIDGE) project work.听
The research titled 'Towards an Intersectional Blue Peace - Gender in Shared Waters',听focused on practical recommendations听based on findings collected from interviews with experts, academics and policy-makers.
鈥Our project seeks to go beyond simply counting women in, but rather听we propose the use of an intersectional and gender-transformative framework as the most effective way of governing transboundary waters鈥, explained the research students.听
The recommendations suggest听a simultaneous top-down and bottom-up approach, including:
- establishing听an inclusive intersectional participatory mechanism;
- ensuring听participatory platforms serve the interests of minority groups;
- reforming current frameworks to be more accessible to vulnerable communities;
- advocating听for financial support that ensures long-term commitments;
- investing in critical analysis of gender-aggregated data;
- reshaping听the language used to talk about gender and women听
Blue Peace is a global movement that highlights initiatives on water, peace, security and cooperation. The movement gathers numerous actions undertaken by different actors (academia, culture, political and diplomatic actions, civil society and the private sector) and at different levels (from local to global).The Blue Peace movement is an听initiative supported by the听.
The gender in transboundary basins research was conducted by master students Alo茂s Aguettant, Mathilde Bolduc, Samantha Elaine Groulx and Jungsoo Lee, as听part of the Applied Research Capstone scheme. The scheme听brings together听groups of students from the with partners from diverse sectors of International Geneva to conduct innovative research that addresses global听challenges, including women's rights and equality.
has occurred for over a century with the first gathering held in 1911. The day belongs to all groups collectively and globally. According to the , gender parity will not be attained for almost a century. 鈥There is urgent work to be done and we can all play a part. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists is not enough, action is needed to level the playing field鈥, said Claire Warmenbol, 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Communications and Partnership Manager for the 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Water and Land Management Team.
On 8 March, the听香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Human Rights in Conservation Team also produced听a visual story '', drawing attention to the women and girls, who are among the most听marginalised and impacted as they are often left out of policies, solutions and practices,听despite the crucial knowledge and experience they contribute. Yet, there is also progress and strides to mark and celebrate.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive,听where difference is valued and respected, is a key tenet of International Women's Day, collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
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