Legazpi City, Albay — In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Region V (DENR V), in partnership with the DENR-BMB Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held a public forum on the Role of Women in Biodiversity Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management.

The forum highlighted the vital role of women in biodiversity conservation and disaster risk reduction (DRR), emphasizing the importance of gender-inclusive environmental initiatives. The event brought together over 100 participants, with more than half being women, including representatives from Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO), provincial and municipal Local Government Units (P/MLGUs), regional agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), local communities, and the private sector to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and co-develop gender-responsive strategies.

This activity is part of the ABS Project’s continuing efforts in Region V to integrate gender equality and social inclusion in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and genetic resources. The ABS framework ensures that communities — especially Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) — receive fair and equitable benefits from the utilization of their biological resources and traditional knowledge. Recognizing women’s unique contributions to environmental stewardship and their lived experiences in disaster-prone areas is critical to ensuring the success and sustainability of the ABS approach.

Keynote speakers and experts shared valuable insights during the forum. Prof. Yolda T. Abante, Dean of the College of Earth Science and Design at Partido State University, and Ms. Adona San Diego, ARD for Special Concerns of DENR V, both highlighted women’s crucial role in environmental protection. They emphasized that women’s extensive traditional knowledge contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation and disaster response efforts. However, they also acknowledged the heightened vulnerabilities women face during disasters and called for improved policies, resources, and representation to address these challenges.

Mr. Henry A. Abawag, Stakeholder Engagement and Gender Specialist of the GEF-UNDP-DENR ABS Project, emphasized the interconnections between gender, DRR, and biodiversity conservation. He stressed that disasters are not solely about hazards but also about vulnerabilities, particularly those affecting women. Mr. Abawag called for gender-responsive DRR strategies, the adoption of nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience, and strengthened biodiversity conservation efforts through the ABS framework. He discussed how ABS empowers communities by ensuring equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, and creating opportunities for women’s leadership in environmental initiatives.

Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Cedric D. Daep, Albay Provincial Administrator, and Gen. Claudio L. Yucot, Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense V, who discussed disaster preparedness strategies and the role of inclusive governance in strengthening community resilience.

The event also included a dynamic panel discussion in the afternoon moderated by Madelyn D. Moral, Provincial GAD Focal Person for CENRO Guinobatan, where participants explored actionable solutions for strengthening gender-responsive climate action. The forum called for stronger programs, activities, and policies that enable women’s meaningful participation in DRR and biodiversity conservation. Ensuring gender-responsive initiatives is essential for empowering women, addressing gender-based violence (GBV), and supporting women’s reproductive roles in times of crisis.

The DENR V, through this public forum, reaffirms its commitment to advancing gender equality in environmental management. By amplifying the role of women in biodiversity conservation and DRR, the forum called for more inclusive and sustainable environmental solutions. The ABS Project will continue building partnerships with local governments and community organizations in Region V to operationalize benefit-sharing mechanisms, strengthen community consultations, capacity-building sessions, and the development of gender-inclusive policies to scale up biodiversity-friendly livelihoods and conservation efforts.

For inquiries and more information, please contact the ABS Project at phl.abs.project@gmail.com.