
Women and Chemicals
TileWomen and men are impacted differently by chemicals and through different routes. Their bodies are differently succeptible to chemicals. They have other experiences of dealing with sources of exposure, different priorities, responsibilities and needs relating to the reduction of toxic chemicals and wastes. In many countries women and men often have different levels of access to participation, decision making, information, education or justice and face different constraints in their efforts to improve their environment and living conditions. They can also play different roles in making decisions about pollution prevention, waste management, identification of sources of chemical exposure, and building safer environment for communities. HEJSupport supports women as agents of change to achieve a toxic-free future for women, children and men.
Subscription Women and Chemicals Newsletter
Women Leaders and the Importance of Fostering Women Leadership 23.06.2023 - Women leaders educate families and local communities about toxic chemical health threats, care for children suffering from exposure, and generate data that justify the urgency of addressing the health effects of toxic chemicals. ... Read More
Women and Chemicals Session at the Tomorrow without Toxics Conference 18.11.2021 - HEJSupport is happy to announce our Session on Women and Chemicals, wich is jointly organized with WECF, AWHHE and ToxicsLink. ... Read More
New UN Human Rights Report on Toxic Plastics 17.09.2021 - The report by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxics highlights the human rights implications of toxic additives in plastics and the life cycle stages of plastic, including the rights of women, children, workers, and indigenous peoples. ... Read More
Women and Chemicals 05.07.2021 - The second edition of HEJ!Youth’s international magazine focuses on a variety of issues related to chemicals exposure on women. ... Read More
Sustainable Fashion – everything you need to know about your clothes 01.07.2021 - HEJSupport new on-line information resource on sustainability related topics in the textile and fashion industry provides a platform for progressive voices willing to share their vision and ideas on different aspects of sustainability in the textile and garment industry. ... Read More
Changing the way we use chemicals: what women should know to protect themselves 19.06.2021 - In May 2021, HEJSupport was an invited scholar to speak at the Caribbean Poison Prevention Week webinar on "Gender and Chemicals". ... Read More
New on-line course on SAICM Issues of Concern 21.12.2020 - With this course we hope to expand the discussion about the future of SAICM beyond 2020 and involve many people and organizations from around the world into the conversation. ... Read More
Take Action Against J&J to Protect Women’s Health Globally 02.09.2020 - Did you know? Talc-based baby powder is linked to ovarian cancer. J&J knows, yet it refuses to stop pushing this dangerous product to Black and Brown women around the world. ... Read More
New Fact Sheet: Gender mainstreaming in chemicals and waste policies 26.08.2020 - The fact sheet provides a quick overview of examples of texts in international agreements and national legislation that emphasize a gender perspective. ... Read More
Women and Mercury: new approaches to minimize mercury exposure 23.06.2020 - On June 17, 2020 HEJSupport held a webinar on the topic of women and mercury. HEJSupport brought together internationally recognized experts to share new approaches to minimize mercury exposure and highlight the needs and voices of women. ... Read More
Webinar Invitation Women and Mercury: new ideas how to reduce the risk for women 27.05.2020 - This webinar brings together international experts to discuss ways to minimize the impact of mercury on women. ... Read More
How international bodies address women and chemicals 14.05.2020 - Find a list of legal texts and information sources from international organisations. ... Read More
Join our new Women and Chemicals Webinar Series 30.04.2020 - We are happy to announce our new webinar series on women and chemicals. Learn more about the topic and contribute to the global discussion. ... Read More
The developing fetus can be affected by the chemicals to which the mother is exposed 26.03.2020 - Despite thousands of studies that highlight its health effects, the global BPA market continues to increase at about 3 percent per year and is projected to top seven million tons by the end of 2023. ... Read More
Webinar “Plastic- and Toxic-free Menstruation Products” 06.12.2019 - HEJSupport together with Women`s Voices for the Earth and Women Environmental Network hosted a webinar on plastic- and toxic-free menstruation products. You can find the presentations here. ... Read More
Plastic and Toxic Free Period Project 09.09.2019 - HEJSupport announces a new project on toxic chemicals, health, and plastic pollution. The project entitled “Plastic and Toxic Free Period” is supported by Funding for Social Change Ltd and is part of a broad initiative on plastic and toxic free disposable and reusable menstrual products. ... Read More
Launch www.ptfperiod.info 09.09.2019 - We are happy to announce the launch of a new website, www.ptfperiod.info Our new website is designed to inform people who menstruate about plastic and toxic chemicals in hygienic products, their health and environmental effects, and the availability of more sustainable, plastic and toxic free options on the market. The site involves global perspectives and… ... Read More
FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS: Why you do not need to be silent 18.05.2019 - It is assumed that personal care products are designed not only to simplify the life of a modern woman, but also to protect them against external pollution, hinder the development of bacteria, and generally stand guard over women's health. However, in practice this is far from the case. ... Read More
Will women waste pickers benefit from a new UN deal on plastic waste trade? 15.05.2019 - The growing levels of plastic litter impacts the life of local communities by putting the biodiversity, ecosystems, fisheries, tourism and people’s health at risk, with women and children affected the most. ... Read More
Open Online Course on Gender and Environment 10.05.2019 - Gender equality is a basic human rights and development issue as underlined in a number of international and regional human rights instruments. The course will help you better understand the global international frameworks related to gender and environment, including the link between gender, biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and waste. ... Read More
Plastic and Toxic Free Period 26.04.2019 - HEJSupport is happy to announce a new project on toxic chemicals, health, and plastic pollution. The project entitled “Plastic and Toxic Free Period” is supported by Funding for Social Change Ltd and is part of a broad initiative on plastic and toxic free disposable and reusable menstrual products involving Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE),… ... Read More
What conventional stores tell you about feminine hygiene products? 22.03.2019 - HEJSupport published a new fact sheet based on the findings of a small survey among women in Canada. We asked them about their purchase patters when buying feminine hygiene products. ... Read More
IPEN film honors women in the network, including HEJSupport directors 13.03.2019 - HEjSupport is proud that its co-directors are among the women to be featured in the IPEN film honoring women working for a toxic free future. ... Read More
HEJSupport stands for all women and girls globally to achieve gender equality, environmental and health justice 08.03.2019 - This International Women’s Day HEJSupport calls on people around the world to show support and commitment to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. ... Read More
Protecting the Health of Women, Children and Future Generations 05.11.2018 - HEJSupport Co-Director Olga Speranskaya co-authored an article, in her capacity as IPEN senior advisor, as guest blog. Protecting the Health of Women, Children, and Future Generations – Gender & Chemicals by Pam Miller (1), Olga Speranskaya (2), Joe DiGangi (3) A safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right. Exposure to hazardous substances… ... Read More
Fighting global plastic pollution: What difference can women make? 12.10.2018 - It is important to change corporate behavior, including highlighting better alternatives for personal hygienic products. The multi-billion-dollar industry that manufactures feminine and other hygienic products, profits from the dominance of disposable products. In many countries, both in developing and developed ones, the feminine hygiene industry has successfully convinced women that their period is something which… ... Read More
Together for toxic- and plastic free periods 19.05.2018 - The challenge: Most of female sanitary products contain up to 90% plastic and toxic chemicals. The average woman will use 12,000 to 16,000 disposable feminine hygiene products in her lifetime and it can take up to 100 years or more for something like a plastic pad or applicator to break down. HEJSupport is working together… ... Read More
Women and Environments International Magazine 11.12.2017 - HEJSupport is happy to announce a new issue of Women and Environments International magazine (WEI) on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining: Women and Health. The issue is available on-line at: http://www.yorku.ca/weimag/ Many of the contributors are from countries that are seriously affected by gold and other primary metal mining. Their stories are emotional, caring and… ... Read More