INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

In a world where we are faced with numerous environmental crises that are putting immense pressure on our communities, achieving gender equality is more vital than ever.

Ensuring women’s and girls’ rights across all aspects of life is the only way to secure prosperous and just economies, and a healthy planet for future generations.

This International Women’s Day, we spoke with five delegates and negotiators from the Montreal Protocol and asked them who were their female role models that positively influenced their careers and which feminist change-maker’s they admire and why.

Dulamsuren DASHDORJ, Senior Officer, National Ozone Authority, Ministry of Environment & Tourism, Mongolia

I grew up in the country of blue sky and the vast steppes of Mongolia; a landscape that many around the world can only imagine. I was raised in a conventional family brought up by my mother and sisters, in remote countryside due to my father’s occupation.

This environment might seem different and exotic to many modern children more used to a narrow urban family circle. The benefits of being brought up in the countryside and the strong family bonds, my mother and sisters, who are my role models, have been evident in my life. They taught me to be persistent, honest and hardworking.

As the youngest daughter of six children in a family with Asian traditions and customs where the male child is more preferred and respected, my mother was a relentless advocate for my education and opened the door to many opportunities.

Thanks for her trust and support, I am now working on international environment protection projects for over two decades. My mother taught me that I should do my work with all my heart, a positive attitude and empathy for others.

Growing up with three elder sisters and two elder brothers, I witnessed first-hand the dynamics of gender roles and balance. My second sister in particular played an important role in shaping my perspective towards life and myself.

During 1990s, Mongolia underwent a difficult transition with high unemployment and economic hardship making people learn to adapt to new realities. In those days and challenging environment, my “role model” was not on a TV or a social media personality but a real person in my life - my sister, who I consider a change-maker. She, also in spite of challenges, obtained a university degree, while having her own family, was by my side at the right moments and guided me. My sister once said, "Do not ask anyone for support or help, believe in yourself, and build your own life!'' I consider myself very lucky to have such resilient and strong women around me.

https://ozone.unep.org/?fbclid=IwAR3LN6TzAD_H4ThFbgNGia7A_r2i0Zw_MoWsQZeKucLNsE3phUNvNwaObMI