On the 9th of June 2015, was the opening ceremony of High-Level International Conference on Implementation of International Decade for Action “Water for Life” in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
“Women Water Forum” pre-conference was organized. Co-organisers were: Women for Water Partnership (WfWP), EBRD, Oxfam, UN Women, Global Water Forum (GWF). AWHHE as a member of WfWP had an active role in the pre-conference and presented case on the Implementation of the UNECE/WHO Protocol in Armenia”.
Women for Water Partnership (WfWP) commits to the establishment of a dedicated Women and Water Fund, as it was proposed during the Dushanbe’s High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’ 2005-1015 two years ago. The Fund would serve as a flexible co-financing modality to mobilize resources to improve women’s roles in and contributions to water management, diplomacy and knowledge transfer. WfWP called on the commitment of this High-level Conference for the establishment of this dedicated Women for Water Fund as called for during the High- level Conference on Water Cooperation in Dushanbe, 2013.
As WfWP stands for raising the profile of women’s involvement on an equitable basis in
the water sector, WfWP proposes an UN International Water and Women Year (2017) and UN Water and Women Day (2017) – 25 years after the adoption of the Dublin Principle 3; WfWP encouraged the participating states to commit to these initiatives and to report at the next international water related fora on the actual progress achieved.
Two publications were launched and presented by Women for Water Partnership in cooperation with UN Women and UN-DPAC and UNU INWEH. “Inclusion of women increases effectiveness and efficiency” is one of the conclusions of the
publication: Women as Agents of Change in Water: reflections on experiences
from the field. The publication gives examples of how to include women in water initiatives, the challenges faced and lessons learnt. The cases show the importance and benefits that involving women has in the design and planning stages of water initiatives, from reducing inefficient use of funds and increasing transparency, to finding appropriate, affordable solutions and achieving better operation and maintenance. The second publication is the result of a study by UNU INWEH in collaboration with WfWP. “Women, Wash and the Water for Life Decade: an emerging framework for success post-2015”. The publication gives insight in what works in practice and what not. It also shows clearly what the benefits of a supporting network like Women for
Water Partnership are at different levels.
AWHHE contributed in development of the publication “Women as Agents of Change in Water: reflections on experiences from the field” is available at the AWHHE website
http://old.awhhe.am/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/WomenForWater.pdf
The World Water Forum is the world’s largest meeting on water. Every three years, the World Water Forum mobilizes creativity, innovation, and know-how around water. The World Water Forum consists of at least three processes: the Political Process, the Thematic Process and the Regional Process, while gathering officials, legislators and local and regional authorities from more than 150 nations. Each topic is developed in cooperation with the private sector, governments, industry, IGOs, NGOs and academic groups into a common framework of goals and concrete targets to reach. AWHHE was very active before and during the 7th World Water Forum in South Korea from 10 – 17 April 2015.
On behalf of AWHHE Ms. Emma Anakhasyan participated in the pre-conference on “Gender Equity for a Water-Secure Future” organized by the Women for Water Partnership in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, South Korea, on the 10-11th of April 2015. She presented the principles and requirements of the Protocol on Water and Health. The Protocol promotes equitable access, water and health relationship, emphasizes public participation in decision-making and responsibility and accountability of governmental policies and programs to the public.
This discussion offered an opportunity to introduce the organization and its capacity at a high level, to share the successes, as well the difficulties relating to financial challenges of women’s organizations.
During the pre-conference, recommendations and ideas for implementation were developed and presented per theme by the members of WfWP during the “Thematic Special Session 21 Women for a water secure world: past, present and future” held in Daegu, on the 15th of April. Ms. Emma Anakhasyan introduced the outcomes of the pre-conference on “Enough Safe Water”. Recommendations were formulated to implement and upscale solutions to achieve a water secure future where gender equality is the norm.
Women play an important role in water management, making multiple and maximum use of water sources. Active women have leadership and networking opportunities using their capacities effectively being part of Active Women’s Groups.
20 March 2015
“Dvin” Hall, Ani Plaza Hotel, Yerevan
A regional workshop entitled “SAICM – a global international tool for the promotion and development of chemical safety goals” was organized in Yerevan, March 20, 2015. The workshop brought together 35 representatives of state and public sectors from 4 EECCA countries.
The event was held within the framework of the GGF – supported project “Through Toxic – Free Products to Healthy Generation”, implemented by the NGO “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment”. The aim of the project is to promote the involvement of civil society in the implementation of the national policy to reduce the risks of exposure to heavy metals and other toxic chemicals.
Welcoming the participants, the Head of the NGO “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” Elena Manvelyan noted that “the issues of chemical safety are an integral part of the national security strategy. At risk is the health of tens of thousands of people. The pollution of food, drinking water supplies, increased soil degradation, declining biodiversity, wasteful use of natural resources, not fully realized constitutional rights of Armenian citizens to a healthy environment still remain as issues requiring solutions. This is only a small part of the national chemical safety issues that require more attention from the government and public participation.”
The workshop participants shared their experiences and results of the projects implemented in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia. Also were presented the results of monitoring of heavy metals in food and the environment. The participants also discussed the ways to reduce the risk of contamination by heavy metals and toxic waste.
Studies have shown the need for a broad information campaign in all regions of the EECCA countries to reduce risks to people living in the contaminated areas.
Inna Konyukhova, an expert of the NGO “Independent Ecological Expertise”, noted in her speech, that so far, the NGOs working in the field of chemical safety are uncoordinated, but the experience of work through national and international networks showed the effectiveness of such cooperation by the example of cooperation with the IPEN.
The participants of the meeting received information materials about risk reduction to human health from toxic chemicals. Olga Tsygulyova, Head of the chemical program “MAMA-86” (Ukraine), noted that in the world, more than 25% of diseases are caused by environmental factors, including the adverse effects of chemicals. Therefore, the non-governmental organizations in Ukraine, who are concerned about the chemical safety of the population, implement campaigns to make the government take decisive actions to reduce the risks from chemicals. They also inform the public about the dangers and the availability of alternatives. Her colleague Denis Pavlovskyi said, “Widespread initiatives and campaigns in Ukraine, organized by non-governmental organizations for the collection of waste batteries, the enthusiasm of the population and the intent of domestic business for the organization of logistics and recycling give hope to address the problem relating to this part of the e-waste in the country.”
Participants discussed recommendations for the integration of chemicals management into national development strategies.
For more information, please contact Elena Manvelyan, the project coordinator, calling a phone number (+374) 91 19 79 97, or sending a message to an e-mail address of NGO “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment”: office@awhhe.am.
The United Nations Office to Support the International Decade for Action “Water for Life 2005-2015” (UNO-IDfA), implementing the UN-Water Programme on Advocacy and Communication (UNW-DPAC) organized the international conference: “Water and sustainable development: From vision to action”, held in Zaragoza, Spain from 15 to 17 January 2015.
The UN-Water Conference provided a space for dialogue on the implementation of the sustainable development goals on water and sanitation.
Participants from the business community, governments, civil society, academia and media met with United Nations Agencies and programs, to discuss the tools for implementing the post 2015 agenda for water. Additional information about the conference can be found at: http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/waterandsustainabledevelopment2015/
Emma Anakhasyan, Head of the Environmental Health Department of AWHHE, was panelist on Tuesday 16 January 2015 at the Parallel Stakeholder Session on capacity development for WASH, presenting the experience and tool/practice successfully implemented by AWHHE (http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/waterandsustainabledevelopment2015/pdf/Emma_Anakhasyan_CaseBMGDG.pdf ).
The inaugural Gender Water & Development Conference with the theme “The Untapped Connection” took place In East London South Africa from 3-7 November 2014. The Water Research Commission of South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Water Affairs of South Africa, AMCOW, SADC and the Women for Water Partnership, were hosting the conference. More than 320 delegates from 30 countries attended.
AWHHE case was presented during the session “Women: Agents of Change Implementing the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation”. This session demonstrated how women’s civil society combines water and gender to effectively contribute to the development of their communities and countries. It showed the added value of the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation as a means to accelerate the social en economic empowerment of women and to tackle poverty at the root. It in particular addressed the challenges that women’s organizations face in their work, with the aim to contribute to a transformative, women inclusive development agenda.
Ms. Nomvula Mokonyane, the Minister of Water and Sanitation of South Africa and member organizations of Women for Water Partnership
On October 24, 2014 Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” NGO participated in “Minamata Convention Initial Assessment of Armenia” project inception workshop representing the civil society organization in SAICM national committee.
The workshop was opened by the Minister of Nature protection of Armenia Aramais Grigoryan.
Head of Hazardous Substances and Waste Policy Division, Dr. Anahit Aleksandryan made a presentation on Overview of Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The AWHHE representative Qnarik Grigoryan made a presentation “Towards mercury-free production” on assessment of mercury in the environment.
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under EU and FAO partnership project “Improved pesticides and chemicals management in the Former Soviet Union” |
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From 17 to 21 of March 2014, the FAO/EU partnership project on “Improved pesticides and chemicals management in the Former Soviet Union” held a training on awareness raising and communication in Chisinau, Moldova.
The course brought together representatives of national NGOs and press officers from the Ministries of Agriculture and Ministries of Environment from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine to work jointly on developing communication and awareness raising strategies following their countries’ priorities as defined in the FAO/EU partnership project.
The training was aiming to strengthen the capacity of specialists to contribute to the reduction of risks to public health and the environment from pesticides. The issue on awareness with regard to exposure to hazardous pesticides of vulnerable groups in agriculture will be one of the curtail points in the agenda of the training. In addition, special attention was dedicated to the need to strengthen data collection at field level on the use of pesticides and related poisoning incidents in order to create awareness among and a link to decision-making institutes at the national level, such as pesticide registrars.
The project is covering twelve countries in the European Neighborhood, Central Asian and Russian Federation regions and co-funded by the EC Europe Aid with technical implementation by FAO in partnership with a range of development partners including international NGOs (Blacksmith Institute, Green Cross Belarus and Switzerland, Milieukontakt International, Pesticide Action Network UK, and the International HCH and Pesticide Association) and the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention.
The European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization have invested €7 million to assist these countries and to foster an environment of cooperation and capacity development to eliminate the risks from obsolete and POPs pesticides and to develop a more sustainable agriculture in the future. It is estimated that over 200,000 metric tons of these hazardous chemicals exist in the region and a concerted international effort is needed now to prevent contamination of water and soil used for production of food.
The training is implemented by Milieukontakt International
17.01.14
DRAFT RESOLUTION
FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE 134 EB (January 2014)
Public health impacts of exposure to mercury and mercury compounds: the role of WHO and ministries of public health in the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury
Sponsored by Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, United States, Switzerland and Uruguay
The Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly,
PP1 Recalling WHA Resolutions WHA60.17 on Oral Health: Action Plan for Promotion and Integrated Disease Prevention, WHA63.25 on Improvement of Health and Environmentally Sound Waste Management, WHA59.15 on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and the Strategy for strengthening the engagement of the health sector in the implementation of the Strategic Approach adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management at its third session,
PP2 Recognizing the importance to deal effectively with the health aspects of the challenges that chemicals and wastes may pose, including mercury, particularly to vulnerable populations, especially women, children, and, through them, future generations,
PP3 Recalling the renewed commitments on sustainable development set in the U.N. Rio + 20 Summit outcome “The Future We Want”, of June 2012, as well as the Adelaide Declaration on Health in All Policies 2010, and the 8th World Conference on Health Promotion in Finland 2013, which promotes intersectoral collaboration of all sectors to achieve healthy populations.
PP4 Taking note that negotiations on the text of a new multilateral environmental agreement on mercury have been concluded in October 2013 with the adoption of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Minamata Convention), being the first time a specific article on health aspects has been included, as well as other relevant provisions, and that the Minamata Convention places certain obligations on State Parties that will require action, as applicable, by the health sector, together with other competent sectors, including the phase-out of mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers, the phase-out of mercury-containing cosmetics including skin lightening soaps and creams, the phase-out of mercury-containing topical antiseptics, measures to be taken to phase-down mercury-added dental amalgam, and the development of public health strategies on the exposure of artisanal and small-scale gold miners and their communities to mercury,
PP5 Recalling that the objective of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds,
PP6 Having in mind that the Minamata Convention encourages Parties to (a) promote the development and implementation of strategies and programmes to identify and protect populations at risk, particularly vulnerable populations, and which may include adopting science-based health guidelines relating to the exposure to mercury and mercury compounds, setting targets for mercury exposure reduction, where appropriate, and public education, with the participation of public health and other involved sectors; (b) promote the development and implementation of science-based educational and preventive programmes on occupational exposure to mercury and mercury compounds; (c) promote appropriate health-care services for prevention, treatment and care for populations affected by the exposure to mercury or mercury compounds; and (d) establish and strengthen, as appropriate, the institutional and health professional capacities for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of health risks related to the exposure to mercury and mercury compounds,
PP7 Noting that the Minamata Convention states that the Conference of the Parties in considering health-related activities, should consult, collaborate and promote cooperation and exchange of information with the WHO, ILO and other relevant intergovernmental organizations, as appropriate,
PP8 Thanking the preparatory work of WHO, during the negotiations, analyzing different risks and available substitutes, as well as analysis and identification of areas requiring additional or new effort, under the treaty obligations, and encouraging further and continuous analysis and other efforts as may be needed,
OP1 WELCOMES the formal adoption by States of the Minamata Convention in October 2013,
OP2 ENCOURAGES Member States :
(1)to take the necessary domestic measures to promptly sign, ratify and implement the Minamata Convention,which sets internationally legally binding measures to address the risks of mercury and mercury compounds on human health and the environment;
(2)to actively participate in national, regional and international efforts to implement the Minamata Convention;
(3) to address the health aspects of exposure to mercury and mercury compounds, in the context of the health sector uses, and also on the other negative health impacts that should be prevented or treated, by ensuring the sound management of mercury and mercury compounds throughout their lifecycle.
(4) to recognize the interrelation between the environment and public health in the context of the Minamata Convention implementation and sustainable development.
(5) to promote appropriate health-care services for prevention, treatment and care for populations affected by the exposure to mercury or mercury compounds, including national fish consumption advisories and effective risk communication strategies.
(6) to ensure close cooperation between health ministries and ministries of environment, as well as labor, industry, economy, agriculture and other ministries responsible for the implementation of aspects of the Minamata Convention.
(7) to facilitate the exchange of epidemiological information concerning health impacts associated with exposure to mercury and mercury compounds, in close cooperation with WHO and other relevant organizations, as appropriate.
OP3 REQUESTS the Director-General:
- To facilitate WHO´s efforts to provide advice and support to Member States to assist them towards the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, in all health aspects related to mercury consistent with WHO´s programme of work, in order to promote and protect human health.
- To assist Member States to develop and implement strategies and programmes to identify and protect populations at risk, particularly vulnerable populations, and which may include adopting science-based health guidelines relating to the exposure of mercury and mercury compounds, setting targets for mercury exposure reduction, where appropriate, and public education, with the participation of health and other involved sectors.
- To cooperate closely with the Minamata Convention Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, the Conference of the Parties and other international organizations and bodies, mainly UNEP, to fully support the implementation of health-related aspects of the Minamata Convention and to provide information to the Committee and Conference of the Parties on the progress made in this regard.
25 – 27 November 2013
Oslo, Norway
The third session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/documents/2000/wat/mp.wat.2000.1.e.pdf) to the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/pdf/watercon.pdf ) took place on 25-27 November 2013 in Oslo, Norway. The event was attended by about 150 participants from different countries.
The Meeting of the Parties adopted several decisions and a new work programme. All documents are available at:http://www.unece.org/env/water/3rd_mop_protocol_water_and_health_2013.html.
The new work programme includes activities on: improving governance for water and health by supporting the setting of targets and implementing measures; the prevention and reduction of water related diseases; small-scale water supply and sanitation; equitable access to water and sanitation; and on safe and efficient management of water supply and sanitation systems.
Three new publications were adopted:
– No one left behind: Good practices to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation in the pan-European region(http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/publications/PWH_No_one_left_behind/No_one_left_behind_E.pdf),
– (The Equitable access score-card: Supporting policy processes to achieve the human right to water and sanitation (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/publications/PWH_equitable_access/1324456_ECE_MP_WP_8_Web_Interactif_ENG.pdf),
– The Guide to Public Participation under the Protocol on Water and Health (http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/water/publications/PWH_public_participation/GuidePublicParticipationPWH_WEB_EN.pdf).
Emma Anakhasyan, representative of the Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) non –governmental organization, attended from the NGO sector.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury – a global, legally binding treaty opened for signature on 10 October 2013 in Kumamoto, Japan. Armenia was among the first countries to sign the historic new international convention to reduce emissions and releases of the toxic metal into air, land and water and to phase out many products that contain mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal that has some severe effects, both on human health and on the environment.
Accredited NGOs participated as observers in the INC5 sessions. AWHHE was part of the NGO group representing the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) and International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN).
For additional information, please see UNEP Press Release at the link below:
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/default.aspx?DocumentID=2752&ArticleID=9647#sthash.hAmZJJtL