The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson will officially open the sixth Women and Environment Dialogue on Monday, 17 August. The dialogue coincides with National Women’s month and intends to celebrate women in the Environment Sector. During her opening address, the Deputy Minister will reflect on the achievements and progresses of the environment sector gender initiatives.
The two day dialogue takes place from 17 to 18 August, at Velmore Conference Centre, under the pertinent theme of, Role of Women in Accelerating a Transition towards a green economy.
Since 1994, South Africa has made significant strides in ensuring gender mainstreaming and the inclusion of women in key decision making processes. The National Environmental Management Act makes it clear that the vital role of women and youth in environmental management and development must be recognised and their full participation must be promoted. The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development also recognised the importance of gender equality in all efforts to achieve environmental sustainability.
The National Women and Environment Forum became the catalyst and trigger for the sector to lead the development of the Sector Gender Framework for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality through the MINTECH.
The 2015 Women and Environment Dialogue partners and stakeholders aim to reflect and take stock on the environment sector’s gender mainstreaming progress, successes and challenges thus far and agree on the next decade priorities and opportunities beyond. This will be achieved through engaging on the following thematic areas; Commitments renewal, debates revitalisation and advocacy; Policy interventions and gaps; Good practise programmes and projects implementation; Strengthen evidence base through sharing of research, information and practices.
Media is invited to the conference:
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson will open the dialogue on:
Date: 17 August 2015
Time: 09h00 to 11h30
General conference details
Date: 17 & 18 August 2015
Time: From 09h00
Venue: Velmore Conference Centre, 96 Main Road, Erasmia, Pretoria
For media queries contact:
Roopa Singh
Cell: 082 225 3076
