Role of women in sustainable management of natural resources in Drin river basin – register for workshop

GWP-Med is inviting interested parties to join its Zoom online workshop “Gender Equality for sustainable development in Nexus sectors in Drin Riparians,” to take place on October 12. The participants will address the challenges for achieving gender equality in the Drin river basin through the prism of interconnection between water, the production of energy and food, and ecosystems.

Addressing gender inequalities and enhancing women’s empowerment – including access to and control over natural resources – accelerates the impact of sustainable development policies. Mainstreaming gender considerations into developmental policies can assist in the effective and inclusive implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean (GWP-Med) said in an announcement of an online workshop scheduled for October 12.

The event will be held for the purposes of the SEE Nexus project “Promoting Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Southeast Europe, through the use of the Nexus approach” which is financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), implemented by the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med) in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The Drin river, also known as Drim, flows through Albania, Kosovo* and North Macedonia, and its catchment includes parts of Montenegro and Greece.

Have your say in project survey

At the workshop, named “Promoting the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Southeastern Europe, through the use of the Nexus approach,” stakeholders from Albania, Kosovo* and North Macedonia will share experiences on the latest developments and challenges in gender equality in the Nexus sectors and how women’s empowerment can support progress in the areas.

GWP-Med will also present the results of an ongoing survey on the matter. Everyone is invited to fill in the questionnaire. It takes just five minutes.

Online interpretation between English and Albanian, and Macedonian will be available during the event. The concept note and agenda will be available soon.

Three months ago, GWP-Med held an online workshop, “Gender dimensions in the sustainable management of natural resources through a Nexus approach in the Drina River Basin.” The Drina catchment area is shared by Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Transition mustn’t leave anyone behind

“The overall Western Balkans region is on a transition path towards a greener and sustainable development. Integrated and coordinated Nexus approaches across sectors are essential in this context,” Senior Programme Officer Tassos Krommydas said.

“This transition also needs to be inclusive, leaving no one behind. Mainstreaming gender dimensions into policy-making and enhancing women’s role and empowerment are key social tools in that regard. In this workshop, we aim to explore such considerations in the Drin river basin, exchange experiences, and promote related cooperation at the transboundary level.”

Shalsi: Gender-specific barriers and inequalities prohibit women and men and girls and boys to contribute equally in sustainable management of natural resources

Senior Gender Advisor Fiorela Shalsi from GWP-Med pointed out the project gender analysis has found there is still a way for Western Balkans nexus sector policies to integrate gender in a consistent way.

“Policy coherence between sectors is much needed, but gender-specific barriers and inequalities prohibit women and men and girls and boys to engage, participate, benefit and contribute equally in sustainable management of natural resources. We are aiming to bring some case studies and best practices that can increase the knowledge and understanding of how women’s empowerment can support progress towards these goals,” she underscored.

The project is financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented by GWP-Med in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).