Cause for Optimism
In a year of bad news, the increase in visibility and attention to women in the waste management sector is a positive trend, worth holding on to.
As March 8 approaches, International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women’s achievements, educate and raise awareness for women’s equality – there is quiet cause for optimism in the solid waste sector.
ISWA Women of Waste was initiated in 2016, and from our humble beginnings, taking photographs of women waste managers at the ISWA booth at IFAT 2016, to hosting best practice case study in panel events around the world, WOW! collaborates with National Waste Management Associations (e.g. ARS, IMSWA) and leading development organisations (e.g. UNEP, USAID) as well as NGOs (e.g. Women in Engineering, FP Analytics) to advocate for and spotlight women’s work and achievements.
Now, nearly a decade later, there are real signs of change. From the first WOW webinar for International Women’s Day, there is a tangible increase in international events highlighting women in waste management, touching a need and multiplying outreach.
Decision makers are slowly reflecting on the extant research and calls for change and now there are several key policy recommendations making proper reference to the inclusion of women in waste management strategies. In providing expert insights and promotions over the years, WOW has supported such research and policy development; in particular, the UNEP IETC’s Gender and Waste Nexus, USAID’s Women’s Economic Waste Management and GRID Arendal’s Seat at the Table.
Certainly, we see more development programmes empowering women in the waste sector. WOW worked with the then USAID Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO), the GRID-Arendal Toolkit for Facilitators and GIZ Gender Strategy and Network; all designed to combat the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution. Lately, funding bodies such as Acumen, Mirova, SDC and LeFil are showing measurable outcomes for gender-inclusive ventures funds and there is now specific advice for investing in women in waste sector in emerging markets. It’s happening… and there are great expectations for the outcomes down the line.
#Give to Gain
The International Women’s Day theme for 2026 is Give to Gain, an inspiring rally call to everyone to invest in change and strengthen the participation of women at all levels and then reap the benefits of more efficient, effective and profitable waste management operations.
“Give To Gain,” calls for a mindset rooted in generosity, collaboration and shared progress. Give To Gain highlights the power of reciprocity: when individuals, organisations and communities invest in women, opportunities expand, systems strengthen and societies thrive”
In that spirit, we heartily thank everyone who has supported the WOW! Task Force in the last ten years, you helped us to grow, spread the word and make ripples of change.
Thank you too, to all those who have contributed to the ongoing WOW! consultation process in the last year, your insights and suggestions are very valuable as we move to integrate gender issues across all ISWA activities in the future, for the benefit of all.
Thank you for giving.
