The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs were adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2015. The SDGs aim to meet the dual challenge of overcoming poverty and protecting the planet. They highlight a comprehensive vision of sustainable development that embraces economic, social and environmental dimension.
The goal of this community of practice is to facilitate discussions with various stakeholders from different sectors on documents and other knowledge materials being developed around the linkages between chemical management and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, including gender (learn more about SDGs here).
Another key goal is how to bring in and engage with the youth in relation to chemicals and the sustainable development goals.
Past sessions
Online discussion: Innovation for achieving the Chemical related SDGs
Download the community of practice summary of discussions
Our works contribute to a better policy and regulations related to chemicals and waste issues, especially heavy metals and chemicals in products. We advocate cleaner productions, safer alternatives, and national standard, supported by new law or revised law. We also work with all stakeholders, ranging from producers/manufacturers, safer alternatives providers, workers union, academia, consumer groups, procurement group, law makers, and government officials. We conduct awareness raising to attract the general public about certain issues, collect samples, analyse it in qualified laboratories, and disseminate it to the public aimed to influence the policy change and regulations.
I have been working on chemicals such as BPA, triclosan, Phthalates, POPs. We are doing primary and secondary research work and through our findings we are approaching government to bring the policy change. We are also involved in capacity building of stakeholders to educate them on the issue and take appropriate action.
I advocate for development of legislation to phase out hazardous chemicals and as well as conduct educational awareness raising in the communities which will create an opt unity for a healtier world.
GAPROFFA research works on chemicals contributes to the capacity building through awareness-raising, training, advocacy and research at 3 levels: At the Micro level: Target groups are the actors most exposed to chemicals. They are farmers, craftsmen, transporters and all the tradesmen, including women and youth. The messages sensitize these target groups on the rational using of chemicals in their activities because most of them are illiterate. At the Meso level: The target groups are extension agents, research assistants, technicians and. The Training of Trainers (ToT) is organized to equip these agents to take over and reach many people. These trained
As an environmental health specialist, my research and capacity development work addresses the challenges facing vulnerable populations (women, children and workers) exposed to hazardous chemicals and regulators in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. My contribution to Africa and globally to the field of environmental health has been in the areas of pesticides and other chemicals, risk communication, climate change and children’s health.I have over 30 years of experience in research, capacity building (e.g., curriculum and training development, facilitation and teaching, knowledge management) and policy analysis. My expertise includes exposure assessment, risk management, risk communication, risk perceptions, intervention development
I train workers, farmers and young people on sound management of chemicals in order to protect their health and their environment. I also participate in analysis of policies and investment projects to ensure they support healthy living and environment. I am also involved in the study on chemical safety in Africa - one such study was recently published by the University of Eastern Finland and it was on the challenges of accessing justice facing people in Africa from dumping of toxic waste in the continent. I also monitor implementation of MEAs in the region on behalf of Workers and Trade