Natural resource systems, international development projects and local economies benefit when women are included and empowered. An increasing number of governments, and international organizations understand the need to incorporate gender and women’s empowerment into climate change and food security policies, programs and budgets. For example, there are increasing references to gender and the need for gender equality in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) texts. The decision text on the Green Climate Fund also has strong references to gender. Working at the intersection of gender equality, women’s social and economic empowerment, food security and climate change mitigation, WOCAN has developed the W+ Standard (W+) as a means of making positive contributions to each of these important issues. The W+ Standard is envisioned to be applied to projects such as economic development, agricultural development, public health, and climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, including but not limited to carbon offset projects. One of WOCAN’s goals is to create additional value for these projects, through the application of the W+ Standard. The objective is to return profits from the sale of W+ Units or W+ Labeled Units, to W+ Project Implementers and to the women and women’s groups associated with the project, creating a sustainable circle of community development, environmental sustainability and support for women’s economic and social empowerment. WOCAN envisions clear, positive outcomes which would be measured according to indicators of success, represented by measurable activities within one or more of the six domains listed below: Income and Assets Time Education and Knowledge Leadership Food Security Health This W+ Standard provides the normative requirements of implementation. The Program Guide document includes guidance information for project design and implementation.
Natural resource systems, international development projects and local economies benefit when women are included and empowered. An increasing number of governments, and international organizations understand the need to incorporate gender and women’s empowerment into climate change and food security policies, programs and budgets. For example, there are increasing references to gender and the need for gender equality in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) texts. The decision text on the Green Climate Fund also has strong references to gender. Working at the intersection of gender equality, women’s social and economic empowerment, food security and climate change mitigation, WOCAN has developed the W+ Standard (W+) as a means of making positive contributions to each of these important issues. The W+ Standard is envisioned to be applied to projects such as economic development, agricultural development, public health, and climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, including but not limited to carbon offset projects. One of WOCAN’s goals is to create additional value for these projects, through the application of the W+ Standard. The objective is to return profits from the sale of W+ Units or W+ Labeled Units, to W+ Project Implementers and to the women and women’s groups associated with the project, creating a sustainable circle of community development, environmental sustainability and support for women’s economic and social empowerment. WOCAN envisions clear, positive outcomes which would be measured according to indicators of success, represented by measurable activities within one or more of the six domains listed below: Income and Assets Time Education and Knowledge Leadership Food Security Health This W+ Standard provides the normative requirements of implementation. The Program Guide document includes guidance information for project design and implementation.
W%2B%20Standard%202017%20Draft%20V%201.3_For%202nd%20Public%20Comment%20period.docx