'Women as Environmental Stewards’ presents case studies from Armenia, Belize, China, Colombia, the Gambia, India, Mauritius, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Turkey, Uganda and Viet Nam that show how, when women are empowered and have equal opportunities to contribute to sustainable development, it leads to “concrete benefits for people and planet".The case studies feature action in the areas of biodiversity conservation, chemicals and waste management, climate change, international waters and land degradation.

The Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Small Grant Programme (SGP) is showcasing the role of women as environmental stewards in a series of 13 case studies of “action from the ground up” on biodiversity conservation, chemicals and waste management, climate change, international waters and land degradation.
Land Degradation / see page 40
1. Paraguay: Preventing land degradation through agro-forestry 2. Colombia: Conserving molluscs and mangroves 3. India: Mountain bounties prevent land degradation in India

In this publication, the GEF Small Grants Programme, implemented by UNDP, features women as environmental stewards in case studies about biodiversity conservation, climate change, land degradation, international waters and chemicals and waste management. These examples show action from the ground up and demonstrate the importance of investing in women’s leadership and technical skills for improved environmental benefits and sustainable development, while challenging traditional gender norms that often prevent women from taking leadership roles or from having access and control over the natural resources they help preserve.

The thirteen examples of women led projects included in this publication provide evidence that investing in women pays off not just in producing global environmental benefits and sustainable development, but also by improving the wellbeing and sustainable practices of the communities they live in.