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Inclusion of Women in Climate-Resilient Skills Education and Livelihoods in the Asia Pacific Region
At the 2024 Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Side Event, experts and leaders from ASPBAE, Azad Foundation, and the United Nations ESCAP Sub-regional Office for South and South-West Asia gathered to discuss strategies for empowering marginalized women in Asia and the Pacific.
The side event began with a keynote address by Mikiko Tanaka, Head of the UNESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, who highlighted the urgent need to integrate women into climate-resilient skill education and green jobs. She emphasized the interconnectedness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty reduction (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5), and climate action (SDG 13), underscoring the importance of partnerships (SDG 17) in achieving these objectives.
Anita Borkar, Regional Training Coordinator at the Asia Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) presented their work on promoting equity and gender equality in education and skill-building across the region. Anita shared insights on how ASPBAE’s programs have expanded access to quality education and decent work for marginalized women, addressing the barriers that prevent their participation in the green economy.
Dolon Ganguly, Chief Functionary of Azad Foundation highlighted Azad and Sakha’s work on successfully training and placing women in the electric transport industry. These programs have not only empowered women by providing them with sustainable livelihoods but also contributed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.
Fitria Villa Sahara, Co-Director of PEKKA, shared her organization’s experiences in empowering women household heads in Indonesia. She discussed how PEKKA’s initiatives have enabled women to contribute to a gender-just society by participating in climate-resilient economic activities.
The event concluded with a dynamic panel discussion where participants shared best practices and case studies, highlighting successful interventions in the region. The session ended with actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to further support the inclusion of marginalized women in skill education and the green economy, ensuring their economic, social, and psychological well-being while promoting environmental sustainability.
