Project Focus
In the projects section you can find all the information about current and past projects of WECF. From water issues on the Aral Sea to chemicals in Germany, from sustainable agriculture in Romania to the WHO conference in Budapest, WECF covers issues on sustainability, health and environment across the whole of Europe.
Why Women?
During the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992, women were defined as a "major group" in sustainable development and environmental policy. This fact is still not recognized enough by policy makers. Many governments are little aware of the potential women have as agents of change and as important stakeholders for implementation of environmental policy, sustainable resource use and the millennium goals. WECF wants to pave the way for increased participation by both women and men in policy making.
Women have specific responsibilities for future generations and therefore see different priorities and are often more engaged in sustainability, specifically on issues related to health and livelihood. Women’s reproductive health is a matter of concern since environmental pollution and pollutants are passed on to the developing child and can have life long effects.
Women often have different ideas and solutions because they are affected differently by the impacts of certain decisions. Policies would greatly benefit from gender mainstreaming; their effectiveness and quality will increase.
Health problems related to pollution and environmental deterioration are crucial issues, as the consequences are constantly visible in the daily lives of people. Women see it as a priority to strengthen health & environmental policies that will protect citizens, and in particular, vulnerable groups such as children, women and elderly people.
Why in Europe?
There are large inequalities in Europe and EECCA countries (Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia). There are differences in wealth, welfare and living conditions. Now that the barriers between the East and West are decreasing, it is time for the West to take up its responsibility and assist the East with sustainable development.
Challenges in the new EU members states and neighbouring countries
Health problems and poverty in rural areas are rising due to a disintegration of basic services in rural areas and lack of environmental resource management.
The WHO indicates that child mortality caused by water borne diseases in the EECCA region are high, with 14.000 children dying each year. Lack of sanitation, waste-water and solid waste systems contribute significantly to water pollution. Indoor air pollution from burning biomass and (plastic) waste is another main cause of child mortality in the region. Large amounts of uncontrolled POPs stockpiles are a further characteristics of the region, and pose a thread to groundwater and public health. With the entry of Romania and Bulgaria these environmental health challenges have become part of the EU.
Challenges European Union?
In the European Union the health effects of environmental pollution are often underestimated and not sufficiently known. WECF’s high level round table “Clean, Clever and Competitive from a Citizen’s perspective” in Brussels (27.11.06) brought together key environmental health experts with EU policy makers, and showed the economic costs and need for stronger environmental measures in the areas of air pollution, water pollution, climate change and hazardous chemicals. The inability to Stopp the loss of biodiversity in the EU is a further great challenge. Climate Change is aggravating existing environmental problems such as biodiversity loss, desertification, and increase of water and vector borne diseases.
At the same time eco-innovation in the areas of green chemistry, renewable energy and re-use of waste-water to mention new only two examples, are areas where Europe has a competitive edge.
