Bontu Yousuf
Specialist, Global Plastic Action Partnership, World Economic Forum
Women play a key role across the plastic value chain, starting with their influence on consumer purchasing decisions to their leadership in local resource management.
The global plastic pollution crisis is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and without action, plastic production, use and waste are expected to increase by 70% in 2040.1 Yet, at its heart lies powerful and under-appreciated forces for transformation: women and informal workers.
Inclusive and effective plastic pollution solutions
Historically, women have fought on the front lines against plastic pollution, often taking the leadership in community cleanup efforts to keep cities and bodies of waste clean from plastic waste. Incorporating their voices into decision-making across public and private sectors can strengthen national and global efforts, ensuring solutions are responsive to systemic obstacles. Hence, a gender-responsive design of measures to tackle plastic pollution can make interventions more effective and thus more impactful.
Plastic production, use and waste are
expected to increase by 70% in 2040.
Women as drivers of transformation against plastic pollution
One of the most impactful ways to support the global fight against plastic pollution is enabling secondary markets allowing for improved access to plastic feedstock. Women, particularly in the Global South, are at the forefront of informal waste management systems. By some estimates, 20 million people are employed in the informal waste sector globally, with women making up a significant proportion.2 In addition, women play a unique role in providing local knowledge and innovative ideas to solve the plastic waste challenges. These unique insights are vital to addressing the challenges of plastic pollution in an inclusive manner.
What are we doing about this issue?
Efforts to address plastic pollution are increasingly recognising the importance of integrating gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) into national and global action plans. A key aspect of this approach involves building the capacity of informal waste workers and women while ensuring their voices and needs are reflected in policy decisions. Comprehensive assessments of GESI-related challenges and opportunities have been conducted by the Global Plastic Action Partnership, providing valuable insights into the societal impacts of plastic pollution. These assessments aim to better inform stakeholders and guide the development of inclusive strategies to combat plastic waste.
For more information, visit globalplasticaction.org/gesi-home
[1] OECD. 2024. Policy Scenarios for Eliminating Plastic Pollution by 2040.
[2] International Labour Organization. 2023. Reducing Waste Towards a Just Transition.
