WUNRN
WICF – Women International for a Common Future + WECF – Women in Europe for a Common Future
http://www.wecf.eu/english/articles/2014/12/women-chemicals.php
Women Are
Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals Differently than Men, but They Also Have a
Higher Susceptibility to Them
Report on the Women &
Chemicals Event at OEWG2 (Open-Ended Working Group 2) of SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management) in Geneva, December 17,
2014. The Strategic Approach
to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)
is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals - http://www.saicm.org/.
12.2014 | Alexandra Caterbow, WICF
On the 17th of December 2014,
WECF hosted a side event on the issue of women and chemicals at the Open Ended
Working Group of SAICM, with the active participation of PAN Asia Pacific and
BaliFocus.
The side event attracted many delegates of the OEWG. The issue of women and
chemicals is very relevant for SAICM. Women are exposed to hazardous chemicals
differently than men. They have a higher susceptibility to hazardous chemicals,
are the first environment for their children, and they have less decision making
power in politics and economy. WECF presented its new report "Women and
Chemicals", which will be released soon.
Desiree Navaez from UNEP Chemicals gave a key note, stressing the
importance of the topic for UNEP and their willingness to work further on the
topic. UNEP Chemical supported financially the WECF report and the expert
workshop held earlier this year.
Sarojeni Rengam from Pesticides Action Network Asia Pacific (PAN AP) reported
from her work on pesticides with women in Asia and Africa, which involves
empowerment and capacity building activities, such as trainings on agricultural
farming, a traveling journal for women noting their experiences, and the
encouragement of women to take political action. Her presentation can be found
here.
Yuyun Ismawati from BaliFocus presented her work with women on
artisanal small scale gold mining in deprived communities. She assesses the
impact of mercury on those women and potential ways for alternative
livelihoods. Most of the women do not know what is causing the health problems
of themselves and their children. Awareness raising and safer alternatives
without mercury are urgently needed. Find the presentation here.
Meriel Watts from PAN AP presented her research on breast cancer
and pesticides. We know that 99 pesticides are proven to be linked to the
development of breast cancer. Cancer incident rates raise every year, there is
evidence that around 50 per cent of all breast cancer cases can be linked to
environmental factors such as chemicals. Much more needs to be done to prevent
breast cancer. Find out more about the issue in Meriels presentation here.
WECF hopes very much to continue its work on the topic of women and
chemicals together with the presenters. Further activities are urgently needed,
also on the issues of endocrine disrupting chemicals and the exposure of unborn
babies.
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http://www.wecf.eu/english/chemicals-health/vision-strategy.php
WECF –
Women & Chemicals - Vision & Strategy
People in the European region continue to be exposed to untested
and largely unregulated hazardous chemicals in their everyday lives, ranging
from household products to personal care products, furnishings and toys. Just
10% of the 100,000 chemical substances used on the European market have been
tested for health effects. The main challenges include inadequate and
insufficiently implemented legislation at all levels, which fails to take
account of the specific vulnerability of the developing child and of women.
Environmental health is not mainstreamed into health, social, and consumer
legislation. Aggressive industry lobbying against tougher legislation hampers
progress. A lack of awareness amongst consumers means they have a misplaced
trust in product safety and do not ask awkward questions.
WECF and its members advocate for non-chemical alternatives
worldwide, based on three principles: polluter pays, reversal of the burden of
proof and the precautionary principle, and highlights the gaps and inadequacies
in current legislation.
WECF raises awareness amongst consumers and encourages them to
ask questions about the products they allow into their homes.
WECF works with partners to highlight the dangers of asbestos
and to work towards a worldwide ban on asbestos and the inclusion of chrysotile
asbestos in the Annex III list of prior informed consent of the Rotterdam
Convention.
WECF focusses on the indoor environment of babies and children
and engage parents, caregivers, medical personnel and decision makers in
raising awareness of threats and creating safe environments, especially with
reference to hazardous chemicals.
WECF advocates for the regulation and labelling of consumer
products which contain nanomaterials, and the application of the precautionary
principle, as well as awareness raising and the right of consumers to know
which ingredients are contained in everyday products.