Motion 051

While IUCN’s gender equality policy has made significant strides, it still presents gaps, particularly in consistent implementation at national and local levels. Despite efforts to integrate genderresponsive programming, challenges such as underreporting and insufficient application of gender analysis persist. Furthermore, while the policy primarily focuses on women and men, it could benefit from a broader, more intersectional approach that includes diverse gender identities and experiences.

The IUCN itself acknowledges that gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for the sustainable use of biodiversity and must be integrated into the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). However, both international environmental law and IUCN projects often lack concrete mechanisms for enforcing gender equality, with monitoring and tracking of gender commitments being inconsistent, especially in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and economic equity in environmental projects.

The IUCN has a unique opportunity to address these gaps given its role in linking conservation with sustainable development globally. By enhancing gender integration and aligning with frameworks such as the UNFCCC’s Gender Action Plan and the Convention on Biological Diversity, IUCN can help mainstream gender considerations across its global projects. Additionally, addressing gender disparities is crucial for better environmental stewardship, particularly in communities where women rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. Gender-based violence (GBV) exacerbates gender inequalities in environmental governance, and IUCN must integrate the prevention and response to GBV in all its projects. There is a pressing need for a standardized mechanism to track financial spending related to gender equality and ensure that all IUCN projects adopt gender-responsive financing mechanisms.

The Congress document CGR-2021-7.2/1 7 October 2020 explained that regarding measures to address risks and proactively promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in projects, it was found that the application of a gender analysis is a measure used by 82% of respondents in project design. Respondents noted that in the case of GEF and GCF the gender analysis information and recommendations support the development of the gender action plan, as mandated by those donors. About 77% of the survey respondents do a gender risk assessment in the project. Conversely, only about 25% of the respondents include gender-based violence considerations in risk assessments. For this reason, it is essential to increase the role of gender-based violence in all gender markers.

To support this motion, sufficient resources are needed, both financially and in terms of human capacity to ensure effective monitoring and implementation. IUCN's capacity to track and report on gender outcomes will be key to closing gaps and ensuring that gender considerations are fully integrated into environmental governance.
By adopting this motion, IUCN will enhance its leadership role in advancing gender equality within conservation and sustainable development efforts, and will help dismantle gender stereotypes, reduce GBV, and promote gender equality as an integral part of environmental sustainability.

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IUCN has long recognized the importance of integrating gender equality into its work and organizational practices. However, public and private decision-makers have yet to fully mainstream gender issues into their policies, programs, and funding mechanisms for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. This gap in integration has led to fragmented approaches where social and environmental challenges are often addressed in isolation – despite the growing emphasis on their interconnectedness, as highlighted by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and the various advancements made towards the recognition of gender equality within the Rio Conventions.

This motion is addressed to public and private decision-makers. It aims at supporting synergies and creating a unified pathway in response to these societal challenges. Such synergies are vital for achieving the long-term vision of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework (which underscores the necessity of gender-responsive measures as a cornerstone for achieving its goals and targets and 2050 Vision) as well as the 2030 Agenda, ensuring an inclusive and transformative pathway to a global vision that puts people at its centre.