On 24 June, UNEP participated in an event aimed at improving understanding of the complex relationship between women and natural resources in conflict-affected settings.

Titled ‘Women and Natural Resources: Realizing Women’s Peacebuilding Potential through Inclusive Natural Resource Management,’ the workshop made the case for pursuing gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable natural resource management together in support of peacebuilding.

The event, which was co-hosted by Finland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and three other countries and organised in the margins of the 29th session of the Human Rights Council, centred on the themes of the 2013 joint report by UNEP, UN WOMEN, UNDP and PBSO.

Catalysed by Finland’s strong support to the issue, the more than 80 participants shifted the focus from asking “why” these issues are critical, to asking “how” they can be addressed by the UN system and other actors. The discussion provided a platform for UNEP to outline plans for pilot-testing gender-sensitive approaches to natural resource management in conflict-affected contexts, and together with its partners, develop guidance and tools for other actors to integrate, institutionalize and upscale these approaches at country level.

The workshop generated a lively and substantive exchange on the challenges and opportunities ahead, the insights and experiences of keynote speaker Elizabeth Rehn, former Finnish Minister of Defence and Minister of Equality Affairs, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Balkans, and Member of the Board of Directors of the ICC Trust Fund for Victims. UNEP will continue to work with other European partners in the implementation of this new phase of work.

For more information: silja.halle@unep.org