Gender-based Violence and Biodiversity: A briefing note on linkages to inform the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework process

A decisive moment for determining how the global community can realise its vision for “living in harmony with nature” by 2050, countries and stakeholders are working to finalise the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in time for this year’s Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). To achieve its ambitious goals, the GBF and its supporting implementation measure must address the pervasive drivers of biodiversity loss and meet the needs of people in all their diversity, not least those who directly depend on natural resources for their lives and livelihoods, in order to secure a healthy and peaceful planet. This includes ensuring that all people, and in particular women and girls and gender minorities who are so commonly disenfranchised, have the same rights to contribute to and benefit from conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity – and that they enjoy their human rights to do so in a clean, healthy, sustainable and safe environment free from gender-based violence (GBV). This Briefing Note reviews key evidence on GBV and biodiversity linkages and suggests priority recommendations that decision-makers at all levels can consider for realising robust gender-responsive action.