Climate change and crimes that affect the environment feed into the unfolding crisis that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Despite a growing awareness of the importance of understanding how gender inequality intersects with crimes that affect the environment, these dynamics are not yet well understood. Research has yet to adequately explore the different ways men and women engage with these crimes whether as offenders, defenders, influencers, beneficiaries and/or victims. Comprehensively addressing and preventing crimes that affect the environment requires an approach that challenges policymakers to identify, analyse, and respond to the interplay between gender, environment, and illegal activity is needed. It is vital to develop evidence-based policy for changing the underlying causes of gender inequality and inequitable social structures involved in crimes that affect the environment crime chains.
A gender equality perspective is urgently needed to better understand climate change and evolving crime patterns affecting the environment. Therefore, in the framework of the International Gender Champions Initiative (IGC), UNODC and UN Women, together with the Government of Slovenia co-hosted a discussion forum on the gendered dimensions of crimes that affect the environment. The Discussion Forum took place online on Wednesday 21 February 2024 between 15:00 - 17:00 (CET) and Thursday 22 February 2024 between 14:00 - 17:45 (CET). It featured a high-level opening session, followed by panel discussions featuring experts and practitioners from United Nations agencies, Member States, academia, and civil society organisations.
These expert panels aimed to give an overview of the gendered dimensions of crimes that affect the environment and highlight the existing gaps by:
(a) mapping out existing normative frameworks, knowledge, best practices, and persistent gender-related challenges
(b) identifying gaps and chronic lacks of reliable statistical data needed to scale-up policy responses
(c) supporting gender-transformative policy and programming on the gender dimensions of crimes that affect the environment
In line with the recommendations and considerations that emerged from the Discussion Forum, an outcome document on the gendered dimensions of crimes that affect the environment will be published on this website. Together with the policy recommendations, the outcome document will also include a comprehensive desk review on the gendered dimensions of crimes that affect the environment.
For more information on the Discussion Forum, please send an e-mail to UNOV/UNODC Gender Team at unov-unodc.gender@un.org.
