!! THIS WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION !!

---

Gender & Chemicals Partnership

Welcome to the website of the Gender & Chemicals Partnership.
We are thrilled that you are interested in our activities on gender and the management of chemicals and waste. Scroll down to find out what we do and how we want to achieve an impact!

---

About the G&CP

Who we are

The Gender & Chemicals Partnership (G&CP) is an international, multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral partnership. The novel coalition brings together key stakeholders from governments, academia, civil society, and industry to address the global pollution crisis through the lens of gender equality and empowerment. It was created to promote gender equality and empower women and girls in managing chemicals. The partnership intends to support addressing the global pollution crisis and contribute to achieving sustainable development and gender equality goals set by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Our objectives

---

Our activities

The G&CP seeks to implement activities that enable and promote gender-responsive interventions to achieve gender equality and address gender-based discrimination and injustices in chemicals management internationally.

Jointly, partners from civil society, governments, academia and the private sector have decided to focus their efforts on the following priorities:

---

Why we exist

Gendered Impacts of Chemical Exposure 

Chemicals, waste, and pollution present a global challenge comparable to climate change and biodiversity loss. Each year, 9 million people die due to environmental pollution because they have been exposed to toxic substances in air, water and soil. Similar to the climate and biodiversity crises, the global pollution crisis is a growing problem that not only has different effects on different genders but also exacerbates gender inequalities.

While exposure to harmful chemicals impacts all genders, women and girls are disproportionately affected due to biological and socio-economic differences. The bodies of men and women often react differently to chemicals due to their distinct body compositions and hormone levels. For instance, women show a higher susceptibility to chemically induced health damages during pregnancy. Moreover, social gender roles lead to different exposure risks. The gendered dimensions of chemicals can be found across industries and in various realms of life, including cosmetics, medicine, agriculture, and mining. Understanding these gender-specific differences is crucial for identifying the causes of unsustainable behaviors when dealing with chemicals and for developing more effective, sustainable solutions. By recognizing these impacts, we can communicate more effectively with both men and women about the risks and implement better protective measures.

Various international policy instruments within and beyond the realm of chemicals, such as the Beijing Declaration for Action, the 2030 Agenda, the Global Framework on Chemicals, and the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata Conventions, acknowledge the need for gender-repsonsive approaches. However, despite this international recognition, progress in gender-responsive chemicals management has been slow due to a lack of data, research, and effective tools. Social and biological aspects are still not adequately considered in chemicals management and science, leading to inadequate protection for all genders, who continue to face the negative effects of unsustainable and dangerous chemicals management worldwide. The G&CP aims to bridge gaps and improve the impact of global gender-responsive chemicals management by bringing together key international stakeholders. 

A novel coalition of stakeholders with a unique purpose

In early 2023, the gaps in data, research and effective tools next to a growing recognition of the need for gender-responsive approaches in chemicals management sparked discussions about the formation of a unique multi-stakeholder partnership. The Gender & Chemicals Partnership (G&CP) was officially launched on September 28, 2023, at the 5th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in Bonn, Germany with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) and Partnerships2030. The novel coalition brings together key stakeholders from governments, academia, civil society, and industry to address the global pollution crisis through the lens of gender equality and empowerment. By leveraging the diverse strengths and expertise of its members, the G&CP aims to make a significant impact on both gender equality and sustainable chemicals management. 

---

Together we can achieve more.

Our partnership is a community of organizations and individuals – all interested in the healthy and sustainable management of chemicals for all genders. We already include governments, intergovernmental organizations, women’s organisations and networks, non-governmental organisations, academia, and youth organisations. But we want to grow more.

The G&CP is open to all stakeholders willing to mainstream gender considerations in their work and jointly undertake and support gender-responsive activities. By becoming a member, you will collaborate with leading international stakeholders to address the critical gaps needed to protect all genders from the harmful effects of chemicals, waste, and pollution. Your voice and expertise are vital – together, we can drive progress towards more effective, sustainable solutions and create a safer, healthier world for everyone.

Join the Gender and Chemicals Partnership (G&CP) and become part of a unique international community dedicated to advancing gender-responsive chemicals management.

---