SERCOM Gender Actions
Jump to: Background | SERCOM Gender Action Plan | SERCOM Gender Focal Point | Training Resources | Activities and Events
Background
WMO’s efforts to incorporate gender perspectives in its initiatives are grounded in global frameworks like the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Sustainable Development Goal 5 - Gender Equality), which emphasizes gender equality as a key driver for building climate resilience (WMO Gender Equality Policy). The importance of SERCOM Gender Actions lies in promoting gender equality in the delivery of meteorological and hydrological services, ensuring that women and men benefit equitably from weather and climate information. Given the growing impacts of climate change, it is essential that gender considerations are integrated into service delivery to address specific vulnerabilities, particularly in disaster-prone regions where women are often disproportionately affected.
SERCOM Gender Action Plan
Originally formulated in 2007, the WMO Policy on Gender Equality was revised and adopted by the seventeenth World Meteorological Congress in June 2015 as Annex to Resolution 59 (Cg-17). Its purpose is to promote, encourage and facilitate gender equality across WMO and to establish a mechanism by which progress can be measured.
SERCOM-1 tasked the SERCOM gender focal point to work in collaboration and support of the SERCOM Management Group to monitor the implementation of the WMO Gender Action Plan within SERCOM, particularly the priority actions agreed in the plan for the financial period. During the first meeting of the SERCOM Management Group in 2022, the SERCOM Gender Equality Action Plan was approved (Final report: First Commission for Weather, Climate, Water, and Related Environmental Services and Applications full hybrid Management Group meeting 2022/1). During its session in October 2022, SERCOM-2 decided to update and align SERCOM’s Gender Action Plan with the objectives of the WMO Strategic Plan 2024–2027, the WMO Gender Equality Policy and the updated WMO Gender Action Plan for 2024–2027.
Revisions and priority activities for the Gender Action Plan of the Nineteenth Financial Period were agreed in Resolution 39 (Cg-19). The plan codifies the actions of the WMO Secretariat, WMO Constituent Bodies, and WMO Members within the following seven areas: governance, strategic planning, capacity development, human resources, communication and partnerships, resource tracking and allocation, and service provision.
Congress, in Resolution 39 (Cg-19), requested the technical commissions to:
(a) Continue implementing the Gender Action Plan within their areas of responsibility;
(b) Keep strong efforts on building and nurturing networks of women scientists and technical experts as well as invest in their capacity;
(c) Share the results of these efforts with members through presentations or case studies;
(d) Ensure regional and gender balance and inclusiveness in all structures and work plans as provided in their terms of reference; and
(e) Report to the Executive Council and to Congress on progress.
Click here to find SERCOM-3 Gender Action Plan.
SERCOM Gender Focal Point
The Gender Focal Point of SERCOM are:
• 2 vice-presidents of SERCOM in charge of Gender issues, under the overall supervision of the SERCOM president,
- Angela Chiara CORINA - Vice-President of SERCOM-Mgt - (Italy, RA VI)
- Raymond TANABE - Vice-President of SERCOM-Mgt - (US, RA IV)
• 1 Member of each Standing Committees or Study Groups of SERCOM
- Claudia RIBERO - Thematic Coordinator of SC-AVI - (Argentina, RA III)
- Adamou AISSATOU SITTA - Member of SC-AGRI - (Niger, RA I)
- Milica DJORDJEVIC - Co-Vice Chair of SC-HYD - (Bosnia and Herzegovina, RA VI)
- Jane ROVINS - Co- Vice Chair of SC- DRR – (New Zealand, RA V)
- Gina MARELEDI - Core Member of SG-RENE – (Botswana, RA I)
- Vaileth Jonas Masaba - Alternate Core Member of SG-RENE – (Tanzania, RA I)
- Allison Allen - Vice-Chair of SC-MMO – (United States of America, RA IV)
All SERCOM Gender focal points will promote Gender Equality and inclusivity mainstreaming in all SERCOM policies, programs, and activities, thereby ensuring that gender perspectives are considered in decision-making processes and policy development within SERCOM.
Click here to find the Name List of SERCOM Gender Focal Points and ToR for SERCOM Gender Focal Points.
Training Resources
Strengthening capacity building in gender equality is essential for fostering inclusive and sustainable development. By equipping individuals, organizations, and communities with the knowledge and skills to address gender disparities, we can ensure that women and men have equal access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making processes. In areas like climate adaptation, disaster risk management, and public services, integrating gender-sensitive approaches helps address the unique vulnerabilities faced by different genders, particularly in marginalized communities. Investing in capacity building for gender equality not only promotes fairness but also enhances resilience, innovation, and effectiveness in achieving global development goals, as diverse perspectives lead to more comprehensive and impactful solutions.
Click here to find the Training Resources on Gender Under UN.