United Nations Development Programme hosted a workshop titled “Gender Issues in Climate Change and Energy Sectors” on 28 August 2019. Around 20 members of the network “Women in Climate and Energy” from government, educational, non-governmental and other organizations attended this workshop. Welcoming the participants, Diana Harutyunyan, Climate Change Programs Coordinator, noted it is important that the gender issues are considered for developing an effective policy and plans on mitigation of and adapting to the effects of climate change, as both women and men depending on their roles and capacities become vulnerable to adverse impacts of the climate change. Currently UNDP is supporting Armenian Government in fulfilling the commitments assumed regarding gender issues in Climate Change, namely raising the awareness of gender requirements, capacity development, and establishment of think tanks.  

Diana Harutyunyan mentioned that UNDP Climate Change Program is implementing a number of projects where the gender component is included, and the outcomes of the discussion at this event will support increasing the targeting and effectiveness of the projects.

During the workshop, Astghik Mirzakhanyan, Social Vulnerability and Gender Issues Expert of UNDP Climate Change Program, made a report describing legal framework of gender equality relating to the Climate Change, main targetss and the mechanisms to achieve these goals. She also spoke of the interrelated sub-goals of Sustainability Development Goals connected to climate change, energy, vulnerable groups and gender equality.   

Nune Sakanyan, Gender Expert in Climate Change and Energy, UNDP Climate Change Program, and President of “Women in Climate and Energy” NGO, in her report presented importance for conducting gender analysis and considering gender issues in the field of energy and climate change, recommending the best practices of methods for gender analysis.

Then the participants were divided into three groups to discuss and analyze the situation in the climate change and energy sector from gender perspective.

The groups presented their analyses. In particular, in the field of transport and mobility it was mentioned that mainly women and children are pedestrians and users of public transport, hence it is necessary to focus on ensuring lighting and accessibility of sidewalks, as well as adapt the public transport to baby strollers. Considering the domain of energy use, the second group outlined the burden of women in rural communities due to the climate change and their vulnerability depending on the type of the energy source material used. It was noted that implementation of energy efficient measures in the residential sector will considerably ease the burden of the women. The third group noted that the vehicles and public lighting are the main sources of greenhouse gases emissions. In this context, the participants emphasized the need for modernizing outdoor lighting, using information technologies in urban management, considering potential needs and concerns of women and men. It was also mentioned that women seem to be in a passive position with having relatively more opportunity to make decision in urban planning. The role of women continues to conform to traditional values.

At the end of the workshop, all the groups indicated the necessity of awareness activities ensuring participation and involvement of women and vulnerable groups in discussions and decision making.