Gender equality is an integral part of the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, including the activities of the Secretariat.
Women and men may experience different exposures, roles and impacts related to chemicals and wastes, and gender-responsive approaches can contribute to more effective and inclusive chemicals and waste management.
The BRS Gender Action Plan was developed to ensure that gender equality considerations are embedded in the work of the BRS Secretariat in line with applicable United Nations and UNEP gender policies.
The BRS Gender Action Plan was first developed in 2013 and subsequently updated. In 2025, a new Gender Action Plan for 2025–2035 was presented to the meetings of the conferences of the Parties, together with a review of the implementation of the previous plan.
BRS Gender Action Plan 2025-2035
A new BRS Gender Action Plan for 2025-2035 was presented to the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties.
The plan builds on progress achieved under previous Gender Action Plans and incorporates lessons learned from their implementation. It provides a framework for further integrating gender considerations into the work of the Secretariat and the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions.
The plan aims to strengthen gender-responsive approaches in chemicals and waste management, including through:
- mainstreaming gender considerations in programmes and projects;
- supporting gender-responsive national policies and activities related to chemicals and waste management;
- strengthening gender-balanced participation in decision-making processes; and
- improving the availability and use of gender-related information and data.
The conferences of the Parties requested the Secretariat to report on the implementation of the Gender Action Plan at the 2027 meetings of the conferences of the Parties and invited Parties and other stakeholders to undertake activities, as appropriate, to support its implementation.
Review of implementation of the previous Gender Action Plan
A review of the implementation of the BRS Gender Action Plan covering the period 2013-2023 was prepared and presented to the 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties.
The review summarizes activities undertaken by the Secretariat and highlights progress made in integrating gender considerations into the work of the BRS conventions, including the preparation of a baseline report on gender and chemicals and waste management, the integration of gender considerations into Secretariat practices and projects, and awareness-raising initiatives such as the Gender Heroes and Gender Pioneers series.
The review also notes that some activities foreseen under the previous plan could not be fully implemented due to limited resources. In particular, a formal evaluation of the Gender Action Plan was not undertaken. Instead, the Secretariat carried out an internal review, and lessons learned informed the development of the BRS Gender Action Plan 2025-2035.