Priscilla Achakpa, WEP’s Executive Director was elected as the Organizing Partner (OP) of the Women’s Major Group representing the Africa Region in the online election that was conducted in February, 2017.
Priscilla Achakpa was elected alongside 6 other Regional OPs and 2 Global OPs representing Global South and Global North. These OPs’ tenure is from 2017-2019.
Announcing the result of the elections, Lean Deleon, Post-2015 Program Associate of Women’s Major Group and Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), stated as follows:
“From our advocacy listserve, we had 189 eligible voters. There was a 47.62% voter turnout. I am pleased to announce the Organizing Partners for the Women’s Major Group 2017-2019:
Asia Regional OP: Kate Lappin / Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development
Middle East & North Africa Regional OP: Shaima Aly / Kenana Association for Sustainable Development and women empowerment
Europe & Central Asia Regional OP: Sascha Gabizon / Women Engage for a Common Future
North America Regional OP: NONE. IWHC failed to secure the 20% threshold of votes
Pacific Small Island States Regional OP: Noelene Nabulivou / Diva 4 Equality
Latin America & Caribbean Regional OP: Emilia Reyes / Equidad de Género: Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia
Africa Regional OP: Priscilla Achakpa / Women Environmental Programme
Global OPs: Eleanor Blomstrom / Women’s Environment and Development organization & Rachel Jacobson / International Women’s Health Coalition”
Lean stated the roles of the OPs as follows: “These past years the WMG was successful in influencing multiple spaces and mechanisms, primarily the 2030 Agenda. Despite the shrinking of civil society space and defunding of women rights and feminist organizations, the WMG was able to facilitate powerful statements, responses and in-person engagement. To continue to be more democratic, transparent and inclusive, we want to create opportunity for more balance across regions and themes, and to have continuity as well as a space for newcomers. Due to limited funding, such as not receiving any funding from the UN for coordination, the new set of OP’s will need to provide the basic needs of our group, facilitate engagement, monitor and influence what is happening at the national level, and secure more resources for our advocacy.”
The Women’s Major Group (WMG) was created as one of nine Major Groups after the 1992 UN Conference on Environment & Development held in Rio.
WOMEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME (WEP)