Gender and Climate Award presented to Humera Iqbal
Gender and Climate Award presented to Humera Iqbal, as first prize winner. She is the first livestock researcher from Pakistan to visit Antarctica with 112 women as part of the largest expedition in history to understand climate change and the role of women in leadership. | جینڈر اینڈ کلائمیٹ ایوارڈ، لائیوسٹاک ڈویلپمنٹ پریکٹیشنر حمیرا اقبال کی پہلی پوزیشن
خطے میں مستحکم لائیوسٹاک، نیپال میں مشاورتی ورکشاپ کا انعقاد؛ ڈاکٹر عاصم فراز کی شرکت
“We women have shown leadership by reflecting on our values and facing the challenges we face. In view of the threats posed to the entire world by climate change, we are better able to defend our role in taking real action to protect future generations. Together we are stronger.”
These thoughts were expressed by Livestock Development Practitioner Humera Iqbal, winner of the first Pakistan Gender and Climate Award.
Pakistan Gender and Climate Award Announced
According to details, the winners of the first Pakistan Gender and Climate Award organized by the Embassy of France and the French Development Agency in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Pakistan) on the occasion of International Women’s Day were announced.
The awards were held under the patronage of Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman. The aim of the award was to highlight the commitment and leadership of women in the fight against climate change as well as the importance of adopting gender-responsive policies under the Paris Agreement.
Humaira Iqbal Receives First Prize
Humera Iqbal Iqbal, Research Manager at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and a renowned livestock development practitioner, won the first prize.
She was awarded the prize for leading a volunteer program called She Leads Agriculture to address agricultural issues for the sustainable development of rural youth involved in the livestock and agriculture sector in Pakistan.
Focus on Sustainable Livestock Development
Humaira Iqbal’s focus is on improving the economic well-being of smallholder farming families through value chain support and on-farm performance improvement.
She drew on the experiences of 22 organizations, including government agencies, private sector organizations, academia, research, and international development agencies. She promoted youth initiatives in this project under the goal of sustainability.
First Pakistani Livestock Researcher to Visit Antarctica
Humaira Iqbal, as part of the Homeward Bound Project alumni, is the first livestock researcher from Pakistan to visit Antarctica with 112 women as part of the largest expedition in history to understand climate change and the role of women in leadership.
She believes that women’s leadership is crucial for sustainable development on the planet.
Other Winners of the Pakistan Gender and Climate Award
The second prize went to Iram Fatima, who works for the Pakistan Empowered Women Network, who worked on the environment.
Mehreen Raza of SheGuard was awarded the third prize for her work on women’s health and climate change.
After shortlisting ten out of 23 applications, three women were found deserving of the prizes.
Humera Iqbal was given 3,500 euros, Iram Fatima was given 2,500 euros, and Mehreen Raza was given 2,000 euros as cash prizes.
Senator Sherry Rehman Appreciates Winners of
Gender and Climate Award
At the ceremony held at the residence of the French ambassador, the special guest, Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, congratulated the winning women.
Sherry Rehman said that their success and experiences are encouraging examples for other women and we can all learn from them. She said that Pakistan is facing various problems due to climate change, including floods and heat waves. She later thanked the ambassador through a tweet.
French Ambassador Highlights the Importance of the
Gender and Climate Award
French Ambassador Nicolas Galle said:
“We are delighted to bring the Gender and Climate Award to Pakistan. The award provides a platform for organizations and individuals in Pakistan to showcase their efforts on gender equality and climate action and to inspire others.
IUCN Pakistan Country Representative Mahmood Akhtar Cheema said that the Gender and Climate Award is in line with the gender policy objectives of the Government of Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy.
Humaira Iqbal thanked the French Ambassador and Nicolas Galle, Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Senator Sherry Rehman and others.
