WOMEN, FOOD AND CLIMATE CHANGE
WEA and the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group, India, (GEAG) are proud to announce the launch of the 2011 India Women, Food and Climate Change Training Program. This year-long program will provide ecological farming and climate change resilience training, appropriate technology, rights education, and seed funding to 20 teams of rural grassroots Indian women leaders to improve their food and economic security, preserve the environment and traditional knowledge, and build political will. This program will support women farmers, who are disproportionately affected by poverty, unsustainable farming practices, and climate change — a crisis that impacts their farming livelihoods, health and well-being through recurring droughts, floods and change in the rainfall patterns. Contact India Director, Rucha Chitnis to learn about the Call for Nominations, and find additional info here.
WOMEN AND WATER
The WEA Team continues to receive exciting updates from the graduates of the 2010 Global Women’s Water Initiative (GWWI). Within 6 months after the training in Ghana, many women graduates were able to construct water and sanitation technologies in communities challenged by drought, illness and poor sanitation. But their impact did not end with the inauguration of these water projects. GWWI graduates went on to mobilize communities, garner local political support, or raise funds to further their projects. On an ongoing basis, these graduates challenge gender stereotypes by teaching simple solutions like rainwater harvesting, solar cooking and composting toilets as well as educating their communities on proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Check out an inspiring story from two GWWI participants–Nadiatu and Victoria.
WOMEN AND LAND
WEA’s Advocacy Network is growing by leaps and bounds this year, as we deepen our collaborations with U.S. indigenous women leading environmental justice campaigns. This spring we’re launching our Working Groups, bringing leaders together for innovative policy advocacy collaborations to protect sacred sites, promote energy justice and support environmental health. We’re also preparing for the first annual WEA Advocacy Training this November, convening advocates and indigenous leaders to define an agenda for moving forward together. With Black Mesa Water Coalition, our pro bono advocates secured the group’s 501(c)(3) status, and are now collaborating to launch an unprecedented solar energy initiative on reclaimed mine land at the sacred Black Mesa mountain. Contact North America Program Director Caitlin Sislin, if you’d like to learn more or offer your pro bono services to these powerful campaigns.
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