Every year, March 8th is reserved around the world to celebrate women and raise awareness of women’s rights and struggles around the world.
This year’s theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, working to create a sense of belonging and safety for women of any race, age, ability, faith, and gender identity.
Women have historically been absent from the waste management industry. Even today, there remains a disparity between men and women in leadership roles across the industry. Barriers to women’s equal participation within the waste sector range from safety equipment designed for male bodies to negative attitudes towards women’s abilities to take on roles with more responsibility. It is also true that women globally are on the frontlines of waste disposal; millions of women are exposed to toxic chemicals produced by landfills as they carry out their household and community-focused duties, where they continue to manage household waste.
