UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen said we must inspire inclusion and invest in women every day to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. 
 
“Women’s increasing leadership in community-based conservation, in renewable energy initiatives, and in entrepreneurship shows that including women’s perspectives and ideas is not just a-nice-to-have, it is a necessity”, Andersen said. “When we include and invest in women we accelerate progress towards a sustainable and equitable future for all.”
 
International Women’s Day is marked every year on 8 March to recognize women for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. This year's theme is " Invest in women: Accelerate progress”. UNEP is committed to mainstreaming gender considerations through all its work to empower women and address gender inequality.

To learn more visit UNEP's webpage about gender: www.unep.org/explore-topics/gender/about-gender.