Online course on gender and land degradation launched at 6th GEF Assembly

The first online course on gender and land degradation was launched last week at the 6th Global Environment Fund (GEF) Assembly in Da Nang, Vietnam. The land degradation module is part of a five-module course on gender and environment, with a focus on the multilateral environmental agreements GEF funds.

The module on land degradation is an introductory course targeting two audiences. First, the national focal points without gender expertise or training, even if they have experience working on gender. Second, gender experts with little to no knowledge of desertification, land degradation and drought issues. The course will enable DLDD and LDN experts to engage comfortably, constructively and effectively with gender activists and feminists. It will provide gender activists and feminists with a solid understanding of the global framework for combating land degradation and desertification, and mitigating the effects of drought, and enable them to promote gender equality and responsiveness in the implementation of the Convention.

Participants are also encouraged, at a minimum, to take the overview module on gender and environment along with that on land degradation, for a comprehensive presentation of what “doing gender” or “mainstreaming gender” in environmental management means.

Juan Carlos Mendoza, Managing Director of the Global Mechanism, represented UNCCD during the launch of the gender and environment panel session held in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The e- course is a joint effort of the GEF, the GEF Small Grants Programme and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

The land degradation module was developed in 2016-2017 with the guidance of the Global GEF Gender Partnership (GGGP), in a joint effort led by UNCCD, in collaboration with several organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Conservation International, among others.

Click here to access the course and for more information. 

Photo Above, Part of the Gender and Environment Workshop at 6th GEF Assembly, Da Nang, Vietnam: (c) Sean Wu/IISD

Background Photo: (c) Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, Türkiye