In terms of the environment, women around the world play distinct roles: in managing plants and animals in forests, drylands, wetlands and agriculture in collecting water, fuel and fodder for domestic use and income generation and in overseeing land and water resources. By so doing, they contribute time, energy, skills and personal visions to family and community development.

Sometimes, despite large obstacles, women have proven to be highly effective agents of change, organizing all over the world to demand and work towards a healthy environment. Innumerable organizations with women at the helm have contributed to setting a sustainable agenda through their advocacy and lobbying, developing alternatives to unsustainable development, and making sure that women's voices are heard and their perspectives taken into account.

It is  rightly said 

"You educate a man you educate an individual. You educate a woman you educate a family , community and a generation".

That's why it is extremely important to educate women about environmental values , about current environment issues , global warming , climate change and ways to mitigate climate change and protect environment .

Keeping this in mind , I decided to organize an awareness event exclusively for women . 

What better day than 11^th October –Karwa Chauth

Let me first introduce this festival Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is an Indian festival that has made a significant impression on Indian culture.. As per the traditions, married Hindu women observe fast throughout the day from sunrise to moonrise  for their husband's longevity , safety and prosperity. During this full day fast they are not supposed to even drink water. Communities belonging to the northern and western parts of India, observe this festival in the most religious manner. The married women dress in fine red or orange or bright colored clothing, which are the colors that symbolize auspiciousness. They adorn themselves with bridal jewellery and makeup and their hands are designed with beautiful henna designs too. This is one of the biggest & most divine festivals for Indian ladies .

So on 11th Oct on the eve of KarwaChauth , I went to community centre where 40 of these fasting ladies assembled . After greeting them and wishing them "Happy KarwaChauth" , I started my session. To catch their attention , to set the tone and to arrive at the topic , I told them " I am pleased to see all of you so nicely dressed up  , fasting for the long and healthy lives of your husbands. May God answer your prayers and may your fast be successful. But do you know that there is someone else too who needs your attention for her long & healthy survival.  Yes , it is our MOTHER EARTH. She is suffering , she does not need such tough fast but what she needs is just simple care from us. We can save her , protect her by adopting eco –frieendly lifestyles. Just few simple tips which I am going to share with you can protect her , give her long and healthy life"

Then I told  them following tips :

Switch off fans , AC and  light when you are not in room.

Try to sit together in one room to save energy and have family time as well.

Use energy efficient appliances.

Don't throw papers. They come from trees. Save them for recycling. You can give them to Bee'ah (Sharjah's waste management company).

Don't throw aluminium cans , plastic bottles. You can put them in Bee'ah's RVM.

 Even E waste can be recycled.

 Gift a plant as a birthday or party gift to your friends or relatives.

 Do NOT use plastic bags, go for reuseable jute bags.

Preset the AC temp to 23-24 deg

Operate the washing machine only on full load for optimum use of water.

While brushing  teeth ,  do NOT keep the tap open and  take quick /short showers.

Don't buy exotic food , fruits etc which have travelled long distances. Go for locally produced food or food from nearby places.

Instead of buying chemical fed food, we should prefer organic one. Organic food are more tasty, nutritious and healthy to eat.

Plant indoor plants , Don't cut trees.

Use LED lamps /bulbs. LED are much more energy efficient, lasts longer almost 10 times compared to CFL

Use Public transport /shared car as much as possible. This will surely reduce the fuel consumption. Also for short distance ride bicycle. This will help us to keep ourselves healthy and also promote environmental cleanliness.

All these ladies listened to me carefully and were convinced that there is a dire need to work on our living habits and need to transform them towards Greener Living.

Then I introduced Tunza Eco Generation  so that they can encourage their children , younger brother sisters to join this wonderful forum. They were  impressed with enormous values and benefits Tunza Eco Generation offers. I shared with them my memorable GYELS , Seoul  experience. Summarising Tunza Eco Generation I told them that "This is a unique forum where you learn and earn". You learn a lot about environment , about best practices and you earn gifts /souvenirs/opportunities like GYELS/personality development skills.

Towards the end I distributed Tunza Eco Gen give aways  and beautiful USB sponsored by Bee'ah(Sharjah's waste management company). I encouraged them to help and co-operate with Bee'ah to fulfill their environmental goals like Diverting waste from landfill to achieve Zero waste to landfill by 2015.

Overall it was a good event. I got very good feedbacks from them and I was myself contented that through this event I could spread environmental awareness to a very important section of society-WOMEN.

  I shared it with "Gulf Today" newspaper and they liked and published it to encourage other volunteers for Green Living.

Below link :

http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/3edba34e-6114-4eef-b08d-ed1da9f4c198.aspx