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Empowering Women, Protecting the Planet

UNDP’S commitment within the framework of Earth Day

By Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD) en América Latina y el Caribe

April 22^nd, 2025

This April 22nd marks International Mother Earth Day with the slogan “Our Power, Our Planet”, which calls for us to rethink our role in ensuring that the use of our resources has a positive impact on both humans and ecosystems. Latin America and the Caribbean, the richest region in terms of flora and fauna, is also one of the most challenged by extreme weather events such as intense droughts, devastating hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains, floods, severe heat waves and catastrophic forest fires.

Women in the region, key environmental custodians due to their relationship with the environment and their role in the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, are disproportionately affected by climate change, disasters, inequalities, and violence. Additionally, they tend to bear most of the burden of unpaid domestic work in their households, are underrepresented in decision-making, and have less access to resources and education. The relationship between gender inequalities and environmental degradation requires transformative and inclusive development. UNDP recognizes that gender equality is essential for effective and sustainable climate action and supports projects that protect biodiversity, boost the use of renewable energy, and empower women as community leaders.

On Earth Day, we share UNDP-supported initiatives that are making a tangible difference in these areas, highlighting the intersection of gender equality, renewable energy, and environmental and biodiversity conservation for a sustainable and equitable Latin America and the Caribbean.

Belize

In Toledo, Belize, a remote rainforest-covered region rich in biodiversity, where the local economy revolves around subsistence agriculture, some villages have hardly any electricity. To counteract this issue, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Belize, provided both financial and technical assistance to the community-based project, Solar Mamas, which empowers rural women to bring sustainable energy solutions to their communities.

This initiative has significantly improved the quality of life in the community by providing reliable and clean energy, enabling children to study at night and families to use electric appliances. It has also trained women like Florentina Choco, who has learned to install, maintain, and repair small household solar power systems. Thanks to this initiative, Florentina successfully completed her training and returned to Belize, where she provided solar power systems to 68 households, benefiting nearly 400 villagers.

Bolivia

In Bolivia, nearly one in three people live in rural areas. The national electricity grid covers only 81.5% so rural communities often rely on diesel or wood, fossil fuels that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, to meet their needs. Rural women in Bolivia are not only affected by the effects of climate change, water scarcity and lack of access to energy, but they also tend to shoulder most of the burden of unpaid domestic work in their households.

To address this issue, the Government of Bolivia and Practical Action, with support from UNDP, have installed clean energy solutions in three rural communities. As part of this initiative, 380 women were trained in the use and maintenance of the technology and in community decision making. The technology was adapted to local needs, revitalizing ancestral knowledge. For example, in Santiago de Callapa, the Asociación de Productores en Cerámica y Artesanía (APCA), an association led mainly by women, adopted electric technologies such as kilns, lathes and spinning machines to manufacture their ceramic products, textiles and other basic items. The initiative has strengthened the resilience of rural communities in the face of climate change, diversifying their livelihoods and incorporating community perspectives into national policy.

More information on this initiative here.

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, strengthening women's economic autonomy and reducing the financial gap for biodiversity and decarbonization are key to community resilience and addressing the climate crisis. Therefore, in May 2022, MINAE and UNDP launched the +Women +Nature Program, a financial strategy for gender equality and women's empowerment in sustainable biodiversity management. This program, a pioneer in the region, promotes nature-based solutions and addresses gender gaps in FONAFIFO, CONAGEBIO and SINAC.

The program includes three US$30 million annual financial mechanisms for activities that boost women's access to financial mechanisms for activities related to biodiversity, tourism, forestry, agriculture and fisheries, which are traditionally carried out disproportionately by men. The program has achieved milestones in women's participation and training, knowledge management and reduction of institutional gaps. This year, within the framework of the program, the process for the formulation of the Biodiversity Sector Gender Equity Policy was initiated. This policy will involve the entire National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), FONAFIFO and CONAGEBIO, and will be linked to the process of updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (ENBPA).

Costa Rica | BIOFIN

Ecuador

Ecuador is one of the 17 most diverse countries in the world, with 23,056 species of animals and plants, representing 6.1% of all global species. This biodiversity is an important economic source for local communities. UNDP, through BIOFIN, is working with several ministries to improve biodiversity management and financing with an inclusive approach. One of the gender-transformative results of the program has been the implementation of green credit lines with a gender focus, as green production and economic reactivation have been promoted in an inclusive manner and credit unions have reached 50% female participation.

In turn, BIOFIN provides technical advice on Gender, Green Business and E-Learning, as well as training on green business and inclusive finance, aimed at credit unions and courses on Gender and Green Finance.

Learn more about this project here.

El Salvador

In response to the challenges and national priorities to build a more resilient and sustainable future, in April of this year, UNDP El Salvador supported the process of updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of El Salvador (NBSAP) for the period 2025-2030 led by the Ministry of Environment, including the principles of equality and non-discrimination towards women in the development of the strategy. The NBSAP is a response to the commitment made at the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, through a consultative process with the participation of 250 people from different sectors, 46% of whom are women.

The process, which ends in December 2024, is being carried out as part of the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support Project (GBF EAS) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the definition of new national objectives and goals, with a proactive and binding framework for action that supports the implementation of the Strategy. The findings of this process point to the need to provide more spaces for women's participation, since they are not in decision-making positions, promote spaces for women in science and technology areas, and generate opportunities for access to financing for women who are leading projects related to biodiversity conservation and restoration. UNDP supports this national effort as a key piece to address the triple planetary crisis: biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. This approach, aligned with the 2025 Climate Promise, calls for action by increasing the ambition of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to move towards building a better future for people and the planet.

Guatemala

In Guatemala, the Small Grants Programme (SGP), a corporate program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by UNDP, seeks to sensitize and raise awareness among communities about the importance of environmental conservation as a key part of their sustainable development and about the importance of a gender and human rights approach in decision-making and development opportunities. The GEF works to integrate a gender perspective into all its projects and programs. In 2017, it adopted the “Policy on Gender Equality” to improve women's access to and control of resources, their participation in decision-making on natural resources, and their empowerment, with a focus on local communities.

“The GEF Small Grants Program implemented in Guatemala, seek that women are involved in various activities along the value chain, assuming key roles (provision of inputs, extraction and cultivation, primary and secondary processing, as well as in marketing); adopting specific measures aimed at accelerating equality between men and women, through specific actions for them when necessary to achieve results with equity” highlighted Sofia Vasquez, gender analyst at UNDP Guatemala.

Guide for Circular Enterprises | United Nations Development Programme

Mexico

Women play crucial roles in natural resource management and food security in their communities, but biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation directly affect their livelihoods. UNDP Mexico has supported women's organizations in the Yucatan Peninsula, Oaxaca and Chiapas for an equitable and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Redes de Sororidad Verde (RSV) project, launched in January 2023, seeks to strengthen environmental autonomy and community resilience by working with 198 women in indigenous communities. Nine networks have increased their savings by 94.3% and accessed funds and credit to strengthen their productive initiatives.

The project also promotes sustainable practices and gender equality, building a participatory diagnostic to identify nature-based solutions and issues related to food production, agrobiodiversity and financial health. Since its inception, the project has strengthened women's capacities as agents of change and guardians of biodiversity, recognizing them as leaders in environmental conservation and gender equality. The RSVs represent a holistic approach that highlights the strength and determination of women in building a more equal and sustainable future.

Peru

In Peru, 12% of the population uses solid fuels such as firewood or charcoal for cooking, and 8% lack access to electricity, mainly in remote areas. Rural women, who are the main users of household energy, are particularly affected by the lack of clean energy, facing health problems from air pollution and spending a lot of time collecting water and fuel. The e-Mujer project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines and UNDP, trains rural women to use, install, maintain and market clean energy systems, equipping them with new skills and reducing gender inequalities.

At the conclusion of e-Mujer's pilot phase, the project aims to expand throughout the country. UNDP and Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines intend to expand the entrepreneurship and business model components, introducing new courses and an innovation center for women to design clean energy technologies tailored to their needs. This initiative not only promotes climate action, but also empowers women economically, helping them to create their own clean energy businesses and improve their quality of life.

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support Project (GBF-EAS) implemented and led by UNDP with the support of the National Biodiversity Committee seeks to support the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic in complying with the Global Biodiversity Framework with technical and financial support to stakeholders to meet the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework and support the updating of the National Biodiversity Strategy. As part of this initiative, a process is being promoted to integrate the gender perspective and the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the update of the National Biodiversity Strategy.

The impact of this project (GBF-EAS) is reflected in the identification of concrete strategies that promote the effective participation of women, youth and vulnerable groups in the formulation and updating of the National Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). This ensures that the voices of the most vulnerable sectors are heard and taken into account whist updating of the Dominican Republic's biodiversity strategy.

Throughout the development of project activities, participatory and inclusive consultations have been carried out to ensure the active involvement of these groups. This has strengthened equity in decision-making and contributed to the sustainability of national strategies.

Click here to learn more about this project.

Uruguay

UNDP Uruguay promotes sustainable development with its Gender Strategy 2023-2025, focusing on ecosystem restoration, management of protected areas, sustainable agricultural production and promotion of ecotourism. The strategy promotes women's participation and leadership in socio-environmental management initiatives, with special emphasis on the sustainable use of biodiversity and the generation of livelihoods, with women as beneficiaries.

One of UNDP Uruguay's initiatives, led by rural women, is the Raíces Project, which seeks to develop an ecotourism enterprise to conserve natural and cultural heritage and generate green jobs. Piedras de Afilar, a small village economically affected by the closure of the railroad, is being revitalized by this project, designed and implemented by women between 20 and 65 years of age, which aims to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of Piedras de Afilar and generate green jobs for its inhabitants. Through this process, the collective is now receiving tourists and is part of a network of local enterprises integrating its trails to broader circuits, transforming into reality the idea of revitalizing Piedras de Afilar and generating job opportunities for its inhabitants.

"Moving from an idea to such powerful action makes us realize that we can achieve much more than we sometimes think possible. You have to come together. It takes effort, dedication and work, but common goals can be achieved" says Verónica Álvarez.

Gender equality for effective and sustainable climate action

As we celebrate International Earth Day, we are reminded of the need to use our resources in ways that benefit both people and the environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. UNDP believes gender equality is essential for effective and sustainable climate action and supports projects that protect biodiversity, promote renewable energy, and empower women as community leaders. Alongside UNDP, women's participation and leadership in climate action initiatives within the region has made a tangible difference within their communities. Tackling the intersecting inequalities and discrimination that women and girls face based on economic status, ethnicity or race, age, sexual orientation, is key to building resilient, safe and equal communities. Today and every day we ask you to join us in taking action for the planet to ensure no one is left behind!

Footnotes

Cover photo: Nuria Ángeles Tapia / UNDP Peru / PPS

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FootNotes

Cover photo: Nuria Ángeles Tapia / UNDP Peru / PPS

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