OUR LOCAL GIRLS WALKED AWAY WITH A ‘WOMEN IN ENVIRONMENT DIALOGUE” AWARD – Shoki Mafogo

At the prestigious “Women in Environment Dialogue” event, attended by 307 women from the Environmental Sector, an award was bestowed on the K2C Biosphere for “Outstanding contribution to Women Empowerment”.

“It was such an honour to receive this award on behalf of the Women in our Landscape!” Ms Shoki Mafogo, GEF5 Protected Area Effectiveness and Environmental Monitor Project Manager, who attended the conference with her colleague, Ms Keneilwe Mmushi, K2C GEF Data Manager, said.

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Ms Maggie Sotyo has called on the environment sector to be inclusive and promote meaningful participation. “The K2C BR is doing just that!” Keneilwe said.

“This means we need to start in earnest to mainstream gender in education, and at the same time, integrate environmental issues into school curricula, where young girls are encouraged and motivated to become scientists, in meteorology, biology and botanic studies,” said Deputy Minister Sothyo.

This annual two-day conference brought women from across South Africa together under the theme: Women Leading 4 Climate Action.

“As women are generally the providers of food, water, and fuel for families, changes in the climate and environment impact mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters directly. This means, there is a direct relationship between gender equality, women’s empowerment and climate change,” the Deputy Minister said.

While the Deputy Minister acknowledged that climate change and natural disasters affect everyone, she emphasised that women are the most vulnerable. “It is a fact that most of all the vulnerable communities, women and girl-children are the most affected groups from the devastating impacts of climate change, especially those living in rural areas bear the hardest and heaviest burden of these hazards.”

South Africa’s response to the challenge of climate change has taken a stronger and decisive commitment to promote the inclusion of women voices in every aspect of sustainable development. This commitment is reflected in South Africa’s National Strategy towards Gender Mainstreaming in the environmental sector by ensuring that initiatives in the sector are inclusive and promote meaningful participation.

“It was amazing to connect with this thinking, because this is our reality in the GEF and Environmental Monitor Programmes. For the National Department to recognise what we are doing is so re-enforcing!” Ms Mafogo indicated.