WECF congratulates the winner of the 2011 SEED Gender Equality Award, "Solid Waste Management and Community Mobilization Program" from NEPAL

The SEED Gender Equality Award was created this year for the first time on the initiative of SEED, UN Women and the Women Rio+20 Steering Committee.

09.01.2012 | WECF Press Release

Utrecht/Munich/Annemasse, December 19, 2011 - The SEED Gender Equality Award was created this year for the first time on the initiative of SEED, UN Women and the Women Rio+20 Steering Committee. This year, in addition to the general SEED Awards, a special Gender Equity Award was announced as part of SEED’s partnership with UN Women. This award is part of an initiative that will not only fulfil the general criteria of the Awards but in addition is women-led, or owned, and prioritises gender equality or women’s empowerment as a core objective. Although it was the first time the Seed Gender Equality Award was rewarded, a great number of very good entries were proposed for the gender award.

Unfortunately only one could be honoured.
The "Solid Waste Management and Community Mobilization Program" from Nepal is a waste collection and recycling initiative of over 1,000 households and businesses and is run by a women's environment committee and supported by a local municipality. Under the initiative, landfill waste is reduced via recycling and biogas plants are fueled by organic waste on which training is provided. A savings and credit cooperative has also been established to mobilise loans to 150 female members.

In total there are 35 SEED award winners. The Award ceremony will take place in South Africa, at the end of March 2012.

WECF is glad to see that among the other winners, there are several initiatives lead by women, including for example "Solar Sisters" from UGANDA and Enhancing women farmers' access to profitable markets from TANZANIA.
We are extremely pleased that this annual award now will continue to recognize women's sustainable development initiatives from across the globe.

The Award is funded by UN Women.

For more information on the SEED Awards in general, download the link.
Learn more about Women’s Vision for Rio+20: an Equitable and Sustainable World and activities of the women’s major group for Rio 2012.