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
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
Gender Mainstreaming: integrating gender in chemicals and waste management is key to such management being just and effective; recognizing gender aspects includes taking into account biological and social differences as well as realizing the transformational potential of gender responsiveness. Multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration is needed across the board to achieve the SDGs; it does not replace governmental and stakeholder responsibilities but it can strengthen and improve chemicals management, pooling expertise and ressources, fostering innovation, building stronger political will.
I am currently working as a research assistant in the Environmental Health Division in UCT's School of Public Health and Family Medicine. I work on a number of projects that aim at capacity building and knowledge management of sound chemical management, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. My main speciality within public health is environmental health and so our work focuses on improving health through addressing environmental exposures that may negatively impact the health of the communities we work with.
Publications on heavy metals in artisanal and small scale gold mining in Kenya in contributed alot on environmental distribution of heavy metals from ASGM.
Currently am working on chemical exposure among rubber plantation workers. I would like to know more on there practices and awareness of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage while working.