Women and girls are especially burdened by water and
fuel collection, reducing their time and opportunities
for education, literacy and income-generating activities.
Women often have unequal rights and insecure access
to land and other natural resources, limiting their
opportunities and ability to access other productive
Human Development Report / 2003
UNEP is working towards empowering women to play a more
active role in conservation efforts and the sustainable
management of natural resources. Our aim is to build
capacities to amplify the voices of women calling for
equal rights and responsibilities in environmental and
as the Voice of the Environment (WAVE)
constitute a direct response to these concerns.
Report of the Global Women's Assembly on the Environment.
UNEP Consultative Seminar on Gender and the Environment.
(Nairobi, 25-26 February 2004)