Staff Reporter
Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh, said Women’s leadership is essential to achieve sustainable land management and ensure the long-term health of our ecosystems. She said their leadership and active participation are also vital for combating desertification,  and building climate resilience. She highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to empowering women through innovative policies and grassroots initiatives, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions.

Environment Secretary said this while delivering speech at a session titled “High Level Interactive Dialogue of the Gender Caucus: HerLand: Women’s Leadership on Sustainable Land Management” at the ongoing UNCCD COP16 on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. The session, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, emphasized the critical role of women in advancing sustainable land management practices globally.

Dr. Farhina Ahmed underscored the importance of integrating gender perspectives in policy frameworks and decision-making processes. The inclusion of women in land management not only ensures equitable development but also fosters community-based solutions to environmental challenges, she added. Secretary said Bangladesh has achieved notable success in land management despite its geographic vulnerabilities, including increase in forest coverage and the restoration of degraded land through community-driven projects, many of which are led by women.

The Secretary emphasized the government’s strategic focus on bolstering women’s leadership at all levels of decision-making in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15. Dr. Farhina also shared success stories from Bangladesh, such as community-driven afforestation projects led by women in coastal regions, which have significantly enhanced local livelihoods and ecosystem health.