Webinar Recap: Planetary Health Coalition Meeting – The Role of Women in Planetary Health
On November 6, 2024, participants gathered virtually for an inspiring Planetary Health Coalition meeting titled The Role of Women in Planetary Health. Hosted by Renata Anderson, Ph.D., this event highlighted the powerful contributions of two extraordinary women leaders dedicated to fostering sustainable, community-focused change in planetary health.
Key Highlights:
Alina Pelka – YORGHAS Foundation, presented her work in Malawi through a transformative grassroots project. She described how the foundation’s initiatives support women and girls at the local level by combining health education with sustainable environmental practices.
Alina highlighted three impactful components:
1. Workshops for Women and Girls: These workshops focus on empowering women with health, hygiene, and self-care knowledge, fostering resilience and leadership within communities.
2. Fruits for Africa Initiative: This program addresses community nutrition through fruit cultivation, adding valuable nutrition sources, and improving food security. It also provides healthcare access and promotes anti-deforestation practices by encouraging sustainable agriculture.
3. Solar Cookers: Alina shared how introducing solar cookers has reduced respiratory illnesses associated with traditional indoor cooking, improved household income, and reduced deforestation, offering healthier and environmentally friendly cooking alternatives.
Hellen Lunkuse T. Waiswa – Rape Hurts Foundation, emphasized the disproportionate impact of climate change on women. She shared powerful insights into the ways climate disasters, such as floods and droughts, exacerbate gender inequalities, with women comprising 80% of those affected by climate-related hardships.
Hellen highlighted two key issues:
1. Increased Vulnerability in Disasters: Due to existing gender inequalities, women are more vulnerable during natural disasters, facing heightened risks of displacement, health crises, and poverty.
2. Water Scarcity and Gender-Based Violence: Hellen illustrated how the search for water often leads to increased risks of gender-based violence, including rape, which in turn affects girls' school attendance and commitment, trapping them in cycles of disadvantage.
Key Takeaways
The event underscored the essential role of women in building resilient communities and sustainable futures. Alina and Hellen both demonstrated how addressing planetary health from a gender-inclusive approach not only empowers women but also fosters broader environmental resilience and community well-being. This webinar was a reminder of the power of grassroots action and the vital importance of supporting women leaders in the field of planetary health.
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