Story | 08 Mar, 2022

IUCN Pakistan and HRDN celebrated International Women’s Day at Port Qasim by planting Mangroves

IUCN Pakistan in collaboration with its Members and partner organizations Human Resource Development Network (HRDN), Health And Nutrition Society (HANDS) and National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) celebrated International Women's Day at Tor Island, Port Qasim, Karachi. The members of HRDN and IUCN staff members also participated in this activity.

The participants planted saplings of Rhizophora specie of mangroves to mark the International Women’s Day 2022. Ms. Robeela Bangash, CEO of HRDN briefed the participants on the importance of the day and benefits of mangroves in safeguarding the coast. She said that planting saplings will benefit the generations to come. We must focus on the sustainability of our country and our planet by continuously taking green steps. The activity was carried out under the awareness and capacity building initiatives of the Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP) project.

IUCN Pakistan is supporting Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan in developing the first National Climate Change Gender Action Plan (ccGAP) with the readiness grant of Green Climate Fund. ccGAP is built around six priority sectors including forest and biodiversity, integrated coastal management, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, and energy and transport.

International Women's Day is a global day to celebrate and acknowledge the social, economic, cultural and political achievements and contribution of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate this day and highlight the achievements of the shining stars.

Marked annually on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about women's equality, lobby to highlight their role. The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn't enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.

Dr. Babar Hussain, Coordinator, Coastal Ecosystem, IUCN Pakistan briefed the participants about IUCN's efforts towards mangroves plantation and restoration which spans over more than three decades. He also appreciated the contribution of the participants by planting the mangroves saplings on the International Women's Day.

For more information, please contact:

George Sadiq
Programme Officer
Education, Communication and Outreach
Cell: 0303-3332127
E-mail: george.sadiq@iucn.org