International Day Against Desertification and Drought

Since 2000, the World Meteorological Organization has noted a 29% increase in the number and duration of droughts (2021) compared with the previous two decades.

More than 2.3 billion people suffer from the impacts of water stress. This represents almost 30% of the world’s population. According to forecasts, droughts could affect more than three-quarters of the world’s population by 2050.

This year’s International Day Against Desertification and Drought aims to highlight the vital role played by women in keeping the land healthy. Unfortunately, women don’t often have control. They face many obstacles to securing land and inheritance rights, and to gaining access to services and resources.

It’s a harsh reality check. When the land degrades, when water becomes scarce, it’s often the women who bear the brunt.

The theme “Her Land. Her Rights” aims to encourage authorities to take concrete steps to provide women with equal access to land and property. This is a ” direct investment in their future and the future of humanity. It’s time for women and girls to be at the forefront of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts”, says the UN.

Consult the SNJM Water-Ecology Committee’s newsletter dedicated to this day to discover, in the form of video capsules, various situations and ways of taking action. It is available in English, Español and French.