Apia, SAMOA – Strengthening organizational structures, cultures, and capacities to systematically mainstream principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in the workplace was the focus of a recent workshop for Samoa’s waste recyclers.
The workshop, held on May 22-24 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Circular Economy for the Recovery of Waste (CERO) Transition Project, was funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) via the British High Commission in Samoa.
Addressing barriers faced by women and youth in the waste management sector in Samoa, the workshop highlighted the unequal representation of men and women in the sector and the growing recognition of the important role women play. Promoting gender equality in waste management empowers women to take on leadership roles, access training and education, and contribute their unique perspectives to decision-making processes.
“UNDP, in solidarity with its partners in the private and civil society sectors, emphasizes the critical need to address intersectional barriers, biases, and stigma in the waste management sector as the country transitions to a circular economy. Failure to do so undermines the full potential of harnessing socio-economic opportunities and benefits associated with such a model. It also perpetuates the exclusion of marginalized voices and experiences needed to inform sustainable practices for circular resource management,” said UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Verena Linneweber.
More than 30 workers from the private sector and civil society took part. They emphasized the urgent need for an inclusive approach in the design and implementation of waste management strategies to counter misrepresentation, inequity, and inequality faced by key players in the sector. This approach can lead to more innovative and effective methods for recycling, waste reduction, and circularity.
Feedback from this engagement will be integrated into the review of Samoa’s national waste management strategy.
“Stigma and bias are prominent in Samoa for women-led waste recycling organizations; a reality we often deal with, which acts as a setback within the industry,” said Marina Keil, President of the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (SRWMA).
She added that the industry in Samoa struggles to encourage people to view waste management as a duty of care for the environment and for a healthy Samoa. “Our main drive now is to mainstream the operationalization of our organizations to champion inclusion, diversity, equity, and access approaches in our work, to promote effective social corporate responsibilities and to shift to a mindset that waste is wealth and should not be looked down on.”
Patricia Netzler, Programme Manager for the Samoa and Tokelau Association of Recyclers (STAR), noted that her organization is becoming more conscious of transitioning to IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) concepts to harness corporate social responsibilities, gender equality, disability, and social inclusion in their work with partners, stakeholders, and members.
One of the key outcomes of the engagement is the support UNDP will provide to SWRMA, STAR, and the wider private sector in Samoa’s waste management area. This support aims to strengthen organizational credibility through best practices that champion corporate social responsibility and a gender-equal approach to workplaces that promote the rights of both men and women to health, safety, and appropriate working conditions.
In addition, the Women of Waste (WOW) global network will offer peer-to-peer learning for waste recyclers in Samoa to support the realization of women’s rights in their roles in the waste management sector. It is hoped that Communities of Practices (CoPs) will be promoted to continue the momentum and amplify local waste management initiatives to impact global movements.
Waste recyclers in Samoa have a unique opportunity to drive the transition from a linear to a circular economy with strengthened capacities, socio-economic inclusiveness, and a gendered lens, with strategic partners in place to share best practices. Championing this approach will create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
For more information about the project, please contact:
Ms. Marina Orruela Monteoliva, Innovative Programming and Partnerships Analyst
UNDP Multi Country Office, Samoa | Tel. +685 23670 (ext. 66) | E: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact:
Ms. Laufālē’ainā Lesā, Communications Analyst, UNDP Multi Country Office, Samoa | Tel. +685 23670 | E: [email protected] | www.ws.undp.org