ISLAMABAD: UNDP Pakistan celebrated International Mountain Day this year to honor the majestic mountain ranges and glaciers of Northern Pakistan, while also observing this year’s theme of ‘Women Move Mountains!’
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Numerous events were organized in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan by UNDP’s GLOF-II project to acknowledge mountain women and their resilience in the face of disasters especially GLOFs. The events also rose awareness amongst school and college students about climate change and subsequent impacts.
The events included an awareness seminar in Chitral that brought together environmental experts, government representatives, academia, and community members to show their commitment to the efforts needed in addressing climate change-relevant issues in the province. It also acknowledged women as custodians of local culture who play a significant role in implementing indigenous practices and harnessing the knowledge for future generations. Speech, painting, and drawing competitions were also held and winners were awarded prizes and souvenirs. The day concluded with a mock drill conducted by the KP Rescue 1122 department which focused on firefighting, rescue, and relief in times of disaster.
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Additional Director Forest Department, Mr. Minhas-ud-Din, said at the occasion that “Mountains are ecological hotspots and provide innumerable natural resources for the survival of our communities. Climate Change poses a serious threat to these mountains and affects freshwater supplies downstream for millions of people, especially women who are at the forefront of facing the brunt of climate change. Women are particularly affected, as their vulnerability increases manifold.”
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Ms. Fatima, a community member of the Community Based Disaster Risk Management Committee (CBDRMC) established by the GLOF-II Project acknowledged the efforts made by the project in empowering them. She said, “I represent my community here today and am thankful to the GLOF-II project for conducting such informative sessions for us. We play a crucial role in mountain habitats and would like to be made part of the decision-making process and have greater access to resources. We would feel motivated if our concerns are addressed by the government as well.”
Simultaneously a Panel Discussion was held in Gilgit, centering around the significance of mountain ecosystems and habitats, and the disastrous effects of Climate Change on mountain ecology. Higher government officials including the Chief Secretary GB, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Forest, Wildlife, and Environment, and Head of Sohni Jawari Institute for Public Policy graced the event and were part of the discussions in the context of Gilgit Baltistan and future efforts that would make them adept in dealing with the climate crisis. The panelists also highlighted the role of mountain women as primary managers of mountain resources and as guardians of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The participants, which included students, teachers, and community members from the GLOF-II valleys engaged with the panelists by sharing their thoughts and hopes for a sustainable future as the discussion concluded.
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“We are all aware of the great measure of suffering caused by climate induced GLOFs this year. These floods should be a warning for us to secure and protect our vastly melting glaciers. And for this very reason, communities – women and men, must work together with their indigenous knowledge of the mountains for inclusive climate action!” Mr. Khalid Khursheed Khan, the Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan said as he spoke keenly about women’s inclusion.
Following this insightful panel discussion was an interesting ‘Mountain Women in Business’ exhibition in which homemade organic products made by mountain women were displayed to showcase and promote their businesses.
Meanwhile, students from the University of Baltistan were taken on an orientation visit to the valleys of Barah and Khaplu in Baltistan, to see the GLOF-II project interventions’ role in reducing vulnerabilities.
GLOF-II is a flagship project of UNDP and the Ministry of Climate change, supported by the Green Climate Fund. It is under implementation in 24 valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan. The Project is working to build the capacities of women from the region to the level where they remain fully equipped to deal with disasters. Mountain women remain at the forefront of the activities as they are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
