At least 50 per cent of the employees at the Bhutan Waste Bank Project will be females. Greener Way’s initiative to address waste issues by incentivizing waste collectors plans to employ women in well-paying positions in the waste management industry. It also intends to train waste bank staff to foster greater awareness and respect for women working in waste management. Greener Way shared these plans during a Gender Sensitisation workshop held in Thimphu to understand challenges and opportunities in the waste industry for vulnerable sections of the community.
According to a gender expert from Greener Way, approximately 75 per cent of women in the waste management sector are employed in low-paid positions as waste collectors and cleaners.
The workshop focused on the challenges faced by vulnerable sections of the community, particularly women, in the waste management sector.
It focused on advocating for inclusive workplace with fair practices for all genders. Around 33 participants attended the programme.
Sonam Wangchuk, project manager of Greener Way said “the main objective is to promote gender equality and to prioritize all gender emphasizing on waste management.”
Dechen Selden, a participant said “even with qualifications for jobs, transgender like us are often neglected. However, waste management organizations like this provide equal opportunity for all genders.”
Greener Way’s gender expert emphasized that addressing gender-based issues involves multiple aspects including providing equal opportunities to women to enable them achieve financial independence.
Dil Maya Rai, Gender/Social Development expert of Greener Way said “we are talking more about women because in waste management sector there are many women but many of them are in the low-income category. When the majority of women are employed in less income-generating jobs, they could become victims of gender-based violence”
Yeshi Pelden, Bhutan Waste Bank said “Greener Way gave us an opportunity by empowering us women. Starting from the salary, they provide us the amount that is needed to survive in Thimphu even without high qualification.”
Additionally, Greener Way plans to ensure a minimum of 50 per cent female representation in waste bank volunteers, waste pickers, and hawkers in the design and development of activities, workshops, and life skills training programmes.
Dechen Choden & Sangay Chozom
Edited by Phub Gyem
