GILGIT:The women of Gilgit Baltistan have proven to be the driving force against hunger, malnutrition, and rural poverty and are active in the development of mountain economies. Women here have planted trees, grown vegetables, conserved forests, and played a pivotal role in decreasing carbon emissions.
This was stated by Sosan Aziz, Member National Commission on the Status of Women from Gilgit Baltistan and Head of Gender and Safeguarding at the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme on the occasion of International Mountain Day, observed on Sunday, a news release said.
Every year, this day is celebrated on 11 December to recognize the importance of mountains amidst the growing crisis of climate change. This year, the theme for the day was ‘Women Move Mountains’ to acknowledge the contribution of mountain women towards a sustainable future.
Mountains make up 25 percent of the earth’s surface, covering one-tenth of the world’s population. They provide 60-80 percent of fresh water for drinking, agriculture, and industrial consumption, and half of the world’s biodiversity is hosted by the mountains. However, melting glaciers is one of the earliest symptoms, indicating climate change that has alarmed humanity of the approaching catastrophe.
Gilgit-Baltistan the land of lofty mountains and numerous glaciers, located between the ranges of Karakorum, western Himalayas, and northern Hindu Kush is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change due to the presence of the highest number of glaciers after Antarctica and the Arctic. However, in recent years, due to the lack of resources, people of this region have been pushed to migrate to other parts of the world to feed their families.
Haider Raza, Regional Head WWF-Pakistan, North/ Director Nature-Based solutions stated: “The mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan are home to unique biodiversity, culture, and host world-famous freshwater resources in the form of glaciers and wetlands. The fragile mountain ecosystem is under threat by climate change and anthropometric activities. WWF-Pakistan in this regard has intervened with climate-smart technologies in the last decade to control damages to this unique ecosystem. For the first time, we are piloting nature-based solutions to resolve societal issues related to climate change effect.”
Women play an integral role in the environmental protection and the social and economic development of the mountains. Women in the mountains are the guardians of biodiversity, and keep the knowledge of tradition, and are custodians of their culture. Historically women had played their role equally to men, which has contributed to the development of the entire region.
WWF-Pakistan in coordination with partner organizations will celebrate International Mountain Day on 15 December at the Fatimah Jinnah Girls College Gilgit. The purpose of the event is to show appreciation for the women belonging to the mountain regions and highlight their work in the region’s development. In order for the natural resources of the mountains to be used in a sustainable manner, women of the region need more opportunities and platforms to become part of the development process.