The International Union for Conservation of Nature Central Africa and West African Programme (IUCN/ PACO) as part of its program "Partnership for environmental Governance in West Africa (PAGE)", Global Water Partnership West Africa (GWP / WA ) and the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of coastal and marine zone in West Africa (PRCM) as part of their respective work programs are launching the third edition of the "Water and Environment" media contest.
GWPSA is delighted to observe International Women's Day this year under the theme “Pledge for Parity” by highlighting the achievements of some of the women in the network that have put gender parity on their agendas. [Mrs. Bogadi Theresa Mathangwane (Botswana); Prof. Celine Sikulisimwa (Democratic Republic of Congo); Ms. Suzana Saranga Loforte (Mozambique); Ms Maria Amakali (Namibia); Dr. Manta Devi Nowbuth (Mauritius);
Ms Nompumelelo Ntshalintshali (Swaziland).
Our interviewed speakers are exceptional women who have made their careers in water, from the government and academia arenas, and in many regards influenced policy. We hope that they will inspire you to reflect on the role that women working in the water sector can play. These women demonstrate their “Pledge for Parity” by taking concrete action as champions to help accelerate gender parity.
Read what they say about acknowledging their responsibility to do what they can to drive progress towards parity. Yet let us also be mindful that progress has slowed down in many places across the world, so urgent action in the water sector is needed to accelerate gender parity.
Africa in particular its sub Saharan part, is one of the most affected areas in the world regarding food insecurity (Africa 2014 report on hunger, IFPRI). The agricultural sector which food security and poverty reduction depends very much on in Africa is likely to be affected by climate change if no action is taken. It is against that background that The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa held national consultations on water and food in Malawi and Lesotho on the 21st of April 2016.