Happy International Women's Day
Each year, International Women's Day is the occasion to celebrate the role of women and encourage gender equality in everything that we do.
Women play a crucial role in managing World Heritage sites. To mention just a few, there are Tania Zaven, site manager of Byblos, Christina Sinclair, site manager of Edinburgh, and Beverly Wade, national focal point for the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, all doing little-known and fantastic work at preserving sites in often difficult circumstances.
The growing contribution of women in World Heritage conservation in the face of the numerous global challenges today, from climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic, is invaluable. Increasing the number of women decision makers is helping to make sites everywhere more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, promoting well-being and cultural diversity. Improving the representation of women in managing cities is also essential in leading to improved public spaces, effective security and community well-being.
But not everyone knows about the important work that these women are doing. In the next issue of the World Heritage Review, focused on People protecting World Heritage, we highlight the contribution of these women and many managers, young people, NGOs and activists in the day-to-day maintenance and crucial decision making that are essential to protecting World Heritage sites among unprecedented challenges.
Beverly Wade
national focal point for the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Christina Sinclair
site manager of Edinburgh
Tania Zaven
site manager of Byblos