Women Environment Day Celebration by Women Development Centre(WDC)
January 5, 2022
On the occasion of World Environment Day, celebrated globally on June 5th each year, the Women Development Centre (WDC) in collaboration with Kindermissionswerk organized a vibrant and impactful event dedicated to environmental awareness and community empowerment. The celebration, held on June 5th, 2024, was aimed at promoting environmental stewardship, particularly among the marginalized communities residing in urban slums.
The event was designed not just as a symbolic observation of the day but as a participatory and educational platform. WDC recognized that environmental issues disproportionately affect low-income communities, especially women and children who bear the brunt of poor sanitation, pollution, and lack of access to green spaces. With this understanding, the Centre made a concerted effort to include slum residents—especially women—as key stakeholders in environmental action.
A series of engaging activities marked the celebration. The day began with a large-scale cleanliness drive in and around the slum area, with women, children, and youth coming together to clean public spaces, segregate waste, and learn about waste management techniques. This hands-on activity not only improved local hygiene but also fostered a strong sense of collective responsibility among community members.
Following the clean-up campaign, an interactive workshop was held where environmental experts and local leaders spoke about the importance of biodiversity, climate change, sustainable living, and the role individuals can play in preserving the environment. The sessions were tailored to be inclusive, with demonstrations and visual aids to make the content accessible to all age groups and literacy levels.
Tree plantation was another major highlight of the event. Participants, especially women and children, enthusiastically planted a variety of native saplings in public parks, roadsides, and community spaces. Each participant pledged to take care of the trees and monitor their growth, reinforcing the message that environmental protection is a long-term commitment, not a one-day event.
Women Development Centre (WDC) is a development centre for the people in North East India for many years. The sisters felt the need to bring structural change to the present way of living especially of the women and tribals.