The first United Nations Environment Assembly
met in Nairobi, Kenya, from 23-27 June and Soroptimist International UN
Representative Dr Alice Odingo was there to ensure that the voices of women
were heard. The UNEA is the highest-level UN body ever convened on the
environment, bringing together over 1200 participants including high-level
delegations from 160 countries, and it agreed 16 decisions and resolutions that
encourage international action on major environmental issues. 

As a  Global Coordinator of the UNEP Women’s Major
Group, Alice represented the voices of women at the Major Group Facilitation
Committee and also chaired the Thematic Cluster on the Green Economy and
Financing the Environment as part of the Global Major Groups and
Stakeholders Forum. She went on to present the
combined report from all the Major Groups to the main Assembly, ensuring that
the experience of civil society was shared with decision-makers and contributed
to the final outcomes.   

The Green Economy – an economy that results in improved
human well-being and social equity, while reducing environmental risks and
ecological scarcities – is going to be a central issue in the post-2015
development agenda, as it is being seen as the key to poverty eradication.  Many
existing Soroptimist projects empower women economically while reducing
environmental impact and Alice is keen to see clubs continue and build on this
area of work.

“The environment is an important landmark for human dignity
and totality of life for future generations” explains Alice. “SI can work with women’s groups at the
local level to improve livelihoods whilst also conserving the environment.”

“At the UN level, pressures to work with communities is
building up. It is important to look at the linkages between the
environment and sustainable development, as well as the environment and
sustainable consumption and production”.

Alice points out the need to “strengthen civil society
voices, contribute towards agenda setting, decision-making, follow-up and
implementation”.

“Through her expertise and
excellent work with the Women’s Major Group, Alice has ensured that women’s
voices are heard, whilst also raising the profile of SI and Soroptimist
project-work worldwide among NGOs and decision-makers”, says SI Advocacy
Manager Francesca Fletcher Williams.  

The issues that were discussed at then UNEA highlight
practical issues for women all over the globe. See Solar Cook Solar,
International President Ann Garvie’s appeal, is one way to help empower women
and girls through sustainable development.