Women’s leadership is essential to achieve sustainable land management and ensure the long-term health of ecosystems, Environment Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed has said
“Their leadership and active participation are also vital for combating desertification and building climate resilience,” the environment secretary said while speaking at a high-level interactive dialogue of the gender caucus at the ongoing UNCCD COP16 yesterday (4 December), reads a press release today (5 December).
In the dialogue titled “HerLand: Women’s Leadership on Sustainable Land Management” the environment secretary highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to empowering women through innovative policies and grassroots initiatives, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions.
The session, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, emphasized the critical role of women in advancing sustainable land management practices globally.
Farhina Ahmed underscored the importance of integrating gender perspectives in policy frameworks and decision-making processes.
The inclusion of women in land management not only ensures equitable development but also fosters community-based solutions to environmental challenges, she added.
The secretary said Bangladesh has achieved notable success in land management despite its geographic vulnerabilities, including increase in forest coverage and the restoration of degraded land through community-driven projects, many of which are led by women.
She emphasised the government’s strategic focus on bolstering women’s leadership at all levels of decision-making in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15.
Farhina also shared success stories from Bangladesh, such as community-driven afforestation projects led by women in coastal regions, which have significantly enhanced local livelihoods and ecosystem health.
The session brought together policymakers, experts, and activists from around the world to discuss strategies for enhancing women’s leadership in addressing land degradation and desertification.
