Building the Framework’s gender action plan to support women and girls
As part of its commitment to mainstreaming gender perspectives into the Global Framework on Chemicals, the Secretariat is developing a Gender Action Plan (GAP). This initiative, led by UNEP’s Global Framework on Chemicals Secretariat and The MSP Institute, will ensure that strategies to integrate gender considerations and champion gender equality for women and girls are interwoven within all Framework activities. The MSP Institute is known for its work in gender analysis, stakeholder engagement, and policy development that incorporates gender into international agreements such as the Framework.
The MSP Institute consulted with gender and social inclusion experts, women’s organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations, and industry stakeholders to craft a plan that reflected Resolution V/4. This resolution focused on mainstreaming gender into the Framework and was adopted at the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5). The plan was also to align with global objectives like the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). The Framework’s GAP was submitted for review at the Open-Ended Working Group meeting in June 2025. Read the information document UNEP/GFC/OEWG.1/INF/6 - Development of a Gender Action Plan: Integration and review of existing information.
Based on the feedback received from the Open-Ended Working Group meeting, the framework’s draft GAP has been revised. Two webinars were organized to socialize the draft GAP and to initiate pilot data collection on progress made. The latest draft of the Gender Action Plan is available here. Information about the webinars including the recordings are available here:
- Webinar - Gender Action Plan under the Global Framework on Chemicals: Overview, Data Collection, and Next Steps - 22 January 2026
- Webinar - Gender Action Plan under the Global Framework on Chemicals: Overview, Data Collection, and Next Steps - 12 February 2026
Once approved, the Framework’s stakeholders will use guidance from the GAP to:
- Address the unique risks faced by women and girls in chemicals and waste management.
- Mitigate threats to reproductive health and risks in high-exposure sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.
- Equip women with the tools, training, and resources required to lead sustainable management efforts.
- Strengthen women’s roles in decision-making, ensuring equal participation in policy and solution development.
