UN backing for women’s society
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 24th April 2007
BAHRAIN Women’s Society (BWS) is the first non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the country to be accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This status gives the society the opportunity to enter into policy dialogue with UNEP and to participate in the Global Civil Society Forum, an associated meeting of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum.
It also enables the group to actively participate in regional consultation meetings, to receive unedited working documents from the UNEP and to contribute to them for distribution to governments.
UN backing for women’s society
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 24th April 2007
BAHRAIN Women’s Society (BWS) is the first non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the country to be accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This status gives the society the opportunity to enter into policy dialogue with UNEP and to participate in the Global Civil Society Forum, an associated meeting of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum.
It also enables the group to actively participate in regional consultation meetings, to receive unedited working documents from the UNEP and to contribute to them for distribution to governments.
The BWS is one of five NGOs in the West Asia region to receive accreditation, UNEP Regional Office for West Asia deputy regional director Dr A Basel Al Yousfi told a Press conference held at the BWS premises in Juffair yesterday.
“They (BWS) have been active in Bahrain and the region in promoting environment protection, sustainability and lifestyle,” Dr Al Yousfi told the GDN.
“UNEP works with NGOs to reach the widest possible sector of society to promote environmental protection, environment-friendly lifestyle and to raise awareness with women, children and youth.
“We have several programmes related to water quality, energy conservation, air quality issues, protection of the ozone layer, industrial pollution, environment education and curriculum and others.”
Dr Al Yousfi said there were several NGOs in Bahrain and the region that were working hard to protect the environment and he encouraged them to seek accreditation.
He said it was important for NGOs to come forward because they were important UNEP partners that could help it to achieve its environment agenda and raise awareness.
Dr Al Yousfi said it was important for NGOs in Bahrain to collaborate with other societies in the region because environmental problems were without boundaries and all countries were responsible to ensure the environment’s protection.
The Press conference was also attended by BWS president Dr Wajeeha Albaharna, board member and public relations head Meena Kadhimi and UNEP information assistant Sereen Al Majali.
BWS board member and public relations head Meena Kadhimi said the society had been working on gaining accreditation since 2005.
She said the main obstacle they faced was being required to hold constant activities outside of the country.
However, this was overcome by having a memorandum of understanding with the Emirates Diving Association and co-operation with other societies, such as the Qatar Environment Friends Centre.
“We have developed an educational curriculum on the environment for kindergarten and elementary schools, but we need funding to print the curriculum.
“It’s important to reach children and make them aware about environmental issues and our curriculum is a guide for teachers on how they can implement this in their lessons in art, language, maths, social studies and science.
© Gulf Daily News
