The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Punjab Planning and Development Board (P&D) together inaugurated Pakistan's first-ever "Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP)" in Punjab province. According to P&D Board Secretary Dr Sohail Anwar, the government and IUCN prepared the plan as an action framework for evidence-based resources to help and support committed stakeholders deliver climate and gender solutions in six priority sectors. The government and IUCN recognised the significant opportunity for bringing innovative adaptation and resilience solutions for those who are most vulnerable, especially women, he added.

Climate change does not respect gender, he said, adding, "We promote initiatives to strengthen the productive role of women." IUCN country representative Mahmood Akhtar Cheema discussed the value of gender and climate and how it will be included in the core policy-making curriculum. He was appreciative of P&D's efforts to incorporate gender issues into the Punjab Green Development Programme. The project was praised by Dr Muhammad Abid Bodla, Member Environment & Climate Change, P&D Board, who called the UN Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties event the perfect timing for its introduction.

Programme Coordinator for IUCN Pakistan, Ms. Fauzia Bilqis Malik  gave the gender action plan for addressing climate change, along with key points from each sector's action plan. Deputy Project Coordinator Punjab Green Development Programme (PGDP) Ahad Yousaf provided a brief overview of the programme's scope and how it was interconnected with all sectors.The event came to a close with unified testimonials from all participants regarding the need to continue addressing gender adaptation and climate change through ccGAP in order to save lives and livelihoods and move toward a more sustainable economy.

The launching ceremony was organised by the IUCN Pakistan, the Programme Coordination Unit, the PGDP, and the P&D Board. The event, held at the P&D headquarters, was attended by representatives of the government and many departments.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk