ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of France on Wednesday hosted an award-giving ceremony to celebrate the International Women’s Day (March 8) and to recognise efforts of three Pakistani women in the fields of climate change and gender equality.

Launched jointly by the French embassy, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in July last year, the Gender & Climate Award is going to be an annual feature and the organisers hoped it would continue to highlight the best practices by women in climate change and gender equality.

A cash reward of €3,500 (Dh13,543), €2,500 (Dh9,673) and €2,000 (Dh7,739) was also given along with the first, second and third recipients of the award.

Eco-friendly practices

Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, the Chief Guest on the occasion, congratulated the award-winners for setting good examples in agriculture, gender equality and women empowerment. “Your stories are indeed inspiring for other women and we have many things to learn from you, she said.

Pakistan, she said, bears the brunt of climate change every year, and particularly, the memory of last year’s floods is still etched on our minds when hundreds and thousands of people in Sindh went homeless, colossal loss caused to crops and livestock.

Similarly, we are facing another impending calamity i.e. heat wave which is another ‘gift’ of climate change, she said.

In this scenario, meeting women who have done excellent work in this particular sector is indeed a matter of honour for me, said Sherry Rehman.

Later, in a tweet, Sherry Rehman thanked Ambassador Nicolas Galey calling the event an opportunity for women to spearhead innovation in community leadership roles.

“Thank u to Amb @NicholasGaley @FranceinPak @IUCN for partnering on the climate and gender awards today. These inspire women for overcoming obstacles and spearheading innovation in community leadership roles. @ClimateChangePK needs allies in protecting vulnerability at scale.

Mehreen Raza who is also running a non-profit non-government organisation “SheGuard” was given the third prize. While accepting the award she said “She-Guard is a shield to ensure women and earth’s health. She-Guard is the silver lining for the most ignored problems of women’s health and climate change. She-Guard ensures that women’s problems aren’t taboo anymore.”

According to the jury members, the recipients were shortlisted after a rigorous process of evaluation as in total 23 applications were received, 10 applications were shortlisted while 3 winners were selected.