A Reflection with Dr. Jutta Emig on Establishing the G&CP
Dr. Jutta Emig led the division “International Chemicals Safety, Sustainable Chemistry” at the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) for many years. In 2002, when the German government committed to mainstreaming gender across all policy areas, she started working at the intersection of gender and environmental policies. As a driving force in initiating and advancing the work on the linkages between gender and chemicals, she has played a crucial role in the establishment of the Gender & Chemicals Partnership (G&CP).
In this interview, Dr. Emig shares her “personal thoughts and observations on why it is so important to properly address gender aspects in chemicals management” and reflects on the role of the G&CP in driving change.
G&CP Secretariat: Why is the work of the Gender & Chemicals Partnership important?
Dr. Jutta Emig: I was always convinced that, first, sound regulation and sustainability policies require equal participation of all genders in legislative processes as well as in implementation. Second, in such processes, it is crucial that we are aware of the contributions that women and men can make to achieving the respective goals, as well as their different interests and needs.
While ensuring equal participation in processes and implementation seems to be the easier task, the second aspect is far more demanding. It requires profound knowledge of the subject matter, such as the properties of a certain substance, the purposes for which it is used, and the manner in which it is used, as well as its linkages to the different interests and requirements of women and men.
Chemicals may have different impacts on men, women, children, and the elderly because of differences in their anatomy and metabolic processes. When it comes to exposure – and subsequent risk assessment – the different social roles that women and men play may also have an impact and, therefore, need to be taken into account when developing and implementing chemicals management.
It is unlikely that one person or institution involved in such a process holds all the necessary knowledge and expertise to get things done in the best and most sustainable way. This is why I believe the Gender & Chemicals Partnership is so important.
G&CP Secretariat: What role can the Gender & Chemicals Partnership play in addressing these challenges?
Dr. Jutta Emig: I expect that the expertise gathered in the partnership will help achieve gender-responsive policies. We will benefit from the knowledge-sharing that this partnership facilitates. The partnership will help us make our voices heard in legislative processes as well as in implementation.
In this context, it is important to me not to regard women solely as a vulnerable group that needs special protection. Women form 50% of the population. If you fail to integrate their views, interests, and contributions into policymaking, you will never achieve a sustainable solution.
G&CP Secretariat: Why did the BMUV join the Gender & Chemicals Partnership and how does it benefit from being a part of the partnership?
Dr. Jutta Emig: Germany has been very keen to integrate the gender perspective into the beyond 2020 instrument on chemicals and waste management from the very beginning of the negotiation process, which led to the adoption of the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). We supported activities from various stakeholders on this issue throughout the process. These efforts were successful and now need to be implemented. The Gender and Chemicals Partnership mirrors the multi-stakeholder and multisectoral approach of the GFC and is therefore very well-suited to advance implementation.
G&CP Secretariat: What are your goals in the Gender & Chemicals Partnership?
Dr. Jutta Emig: The seed is sown, now the plant needs to grow. All partners are encouraged to nurture the young plant.
G&CP Secretariat: Thank you, Jutta, for helping to plant the seed—we look forward to continuing to nurture its growth together!
Dr. Jutta Emig – Former Head of the Division “International Chemicals Safety, Sustainable Chemistry” at the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV)