To safeguard and protect the environment should be one of our top priorities in life in order to achieve a healthy and happy living. The life we live today depends so much on the well-being of the natural ecological systems. We should view the environment as the life support system and without which humanity could not survive. Hence, we need to see the environment as the source of all life.

It is therefore interesting to understand how the environment and women are inter-related based on the important roles they play. Just like the environment, women are also life-givers, nurturers of life and providers for the sustenance of life through the use of available natural resources. Thus, women are directly affected by the state of the environment because of their social and household functions. In view of these activities and inter-relationship on the environment, it is believed that environmental degradation would also lead to women degradation, as this would deprive them of a better quality of life and a healthy environment to the children they nurture.

This means that women’s participation in protecting the environment is greatly needed.

As a result of this, women are advised to be involved in environmental protection and conservation through technical training, policy advocacy, project proposal preparations, planning,  programme designing and supervision of environmental programmes, clean-up, waste segregation and management including active involvement in tree planting and mangrove reforestation.

They should also organise and create awareness programmes during world environment day celebration, conduct house-to-house campaigns to make communities become aware of the importance of the environment.

Women can as well conduct information campaigns through NGOs and other recognised bodies. Seminars on environmental issues, environmental protection and conservation, education projects and contests that would promote the consciousness and awareness of the pupils, teachers, parents and the community people towards a balanced ecology and for sustainable development, should be organised regularly.

Already, many women groups have commenced actions to register their ability to speak up for the environment safety and conservation. They engage government authorities and organise symposia to give information and orientations about environment, solid waste management, global warming, climate change and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction. Similarly, they have shown involvement in the private sectors like the media and other institutions.

Some women have initiated trainings and capacity-building activities, cross-learning experience to expose them to the different environmental conservation initiatives in other places which they could possibly replicate in their own communities. Some women groups have trained people about the appropriate livelihood projects and, to some extent, provide them with tools that are necessary for the establishment of the projects.

However, more still need to be done. Women could serve as catalysts for a sustainable environment. Being mothers, it is their role to educate and give their children consciousness and awareness about the importance of the environment.

Women should also serve and act as the stewards of the environment. They should be observant and watchful particularly over those who continuously degrade the environment. Women could really make a difference in terms of enlightening the minds of the community members about the importance of environment, and in harnessing the active participation of the community members in environmental conservation and management.

They can hold political offices to lead a national response, or through their grassroots organisations empower their local communities.

There is a need for serious part taking in decision-making process by women, so that they can integrate their perspectives on the concerns and matters about the environment. The women should likewise mobilise other stakeholders to work together in protecting and conserving the environment. Environmental protection and conservation should be the responsibility of all the citizens, regardless of gender, age, occupation, and socio-economic status.

Meanwhile, women’s involvement, commitment and dedication to environmental protection and conservation are manifestation of their selfless love and concern for the environment; for their children; and for the future generation. While this work is not economically viable, they are aware and conscious that the only way to protect themselves and their family is to protect the environment. Our need for quality air, safe drinking water and others can only be achieved if women as mothers can care for our immediate surroundings and natural habitats.

Patricks is a student of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Port Harcourt.

Catherine C. Patricks