UNDP's chemicals and waste portfolio is delivering significant benefits for both people and the environment, while advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across multiple sectors and countries. Through its interventions, UNDP has helped reduce the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and waste for at least 20 million direct beneficiaries worldwide, with almost half of these beneficiaries being women.

While chemicals and waste projects are often associated with environmental protection, their impact extends far beyond environmental outcomes. By reducing exposure to toxic substances, improving occupational safety, strengthening healthcare systems, and creating economic opportunities, these projects directly contribute to improving women's lives, health and livelihoods.

A key achievement of the portfolio has been the strengthening of women's knowledge and leadership in the sound management of chemicals and waste. Across 36 countries, nearly 40,000 women have received training on the safe handling, management, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste. These capacity-building efforts have equipped women with technical knowledge and practical skills to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from harmful exposures while increasing their participation in sectors traditionally dominated by men.

The portfolio has also invested in evidence-based approaches to understanding and addressing the health impacts of hazardous chemicals. A few projects have partnered with health institutions to conduct biomonitoring studies, helping to identify and better understand human exposure to hazardous substances. These initiatives generate critical information that can guide policy decisions and support measures to protect vulnerable populations, including women and children, from harmful chemical exposures.

Recognizing the persistent gender gap in science and technology fields, UNDP-supported projects have introduced scholarships and educational opportunities for women, encouraging their participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. By fostering women's engagement in technical professions related to chemicals management, environmental monitoring and waste management, these interventions help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Beyond technical training, many projects have focused on strengthening women's institutional and organizational capacities. Women-led organizations and community groups have received support to improve their management skills, expand their reach, and access resources necessary for long-term development. This has enhanced women's ability to participate in decision-making processes related to environmental management, community health, and sustainable livelihoods.

Economic empowerment has been another important dimension of the portfolio's gender impact. Several projects have established accessible financial mechanisms targeting women, enabling them to access credit, savings schemes, and other financial resources. These measures have strengthened women's financial independence and increased their ability to invest in productive activities, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and improve household resilience.

The opening of savings accounts and the establishment of revolving funds have proven particularly effective in providing women with greater control over financial resources. These mechanisms have enabled women to increase their savings, gain access to credit within their communities, and expand their decision-making power over household and business investments. In many cases, these initiatives have laid the foundation for sustainable income generation and long-term economic security.

UNDP projects have also promoted women's economic opportunities through training on alternative income-generating activities, particularly in communities affected by environmental degradation, mining activities, or changing climate conditions. These efforts help diversify livelihoods, reduce vulnerability, and create pathways for women to participate more fully in local economies.

The portfolio's gender-responsive approach has also contributed to removing barriers to women's participation in diverse sectors such as mining, textiles, and refrigeration and air conditioning. By providing targeted training, financial support, institutional strengthening, and educational opportunities, projects have fostered greater inclusion and ensured that women have equal access to sustainable economic opportunities and leadership roles.

Overall, UNDP's chemicals and waste portfolio demonstrates that sound chemicals management is not only an environmental imperative but also a catalyst for gender equality. By protecting health, building technical expertise, expanding educational opportunities, increasing access to finance, and supporting women's leadership and entrepreneurship, these projects are helping create more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies. Through these investments, women are not only benefiting from safer environments but are also becoming active agents of change in advancing sustainable development.