2026 International Women's Day
Frontline Champions: Women in Environmental Enforcement
Campaign Announcement from Patricia Mbote, Director, UNEP Law Division
On the occasion of this International Women’s Day, 8 March 2026, UNEP’s Law Division is proud to launch a campaign celebrating the vital contributions of women working on the frontlines of environmental enforcement, across a broad range of environmental agreements including the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment.
The campaign features profiles of women who work across the full spectrum of environmental enforcement activities, highlighting how their leadership, expertise and commitment strengthen the environmental rule of law. These professionals include environmental decision-makers who shape policy and guide national enforcement priorities, such as National Ozone Officers who manage their national compliance programmes, customs officers and trainers who play a critical role in detecting illegal shipments and building institutional capacity, as well as environmental inspectors whose fieldwork ensures compliance with environmental regulations on the ground. The series will further highlight prosecutors, magistrates and judges whose decisions uphold accountability and ensure the effective and fair application of environmental laws. Together, these highly-skilled women represent every step of the enforcement chain, demonstrating the essential and interconnected contributions required to protect the environment effectively.
With nominations collected through the OzonAction’s Regional Networks of the Ozone Officers and the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme National Focal Points Network, we look forward to sharing voices from across regions and institutions.
As the Director of the Law Division in UNEP, and an environmental lawyer with over 30 years of experience, I have had the privilege of supporting States and stakeholders in developing and implementing legal frameworks that protect both people and the planet. Women in enforcement are essential because they bring specific expertise, diverse perspectives and leadership that ensure inclusivity, fairness and accountability - strengthening the foundations of environmental rule of law worldwide. Their representation and visibility in these roles are equally vital, as they demonstrate to current and future generations that women can and do participate effectively in all areas of environmental enforcement.
We invite you to follow the campaign, share and amplify these stories, and join us in recognising and celebrating the women who make environmental enforcement stronger, more equitable and more effective.
Explore their voices: Women in Environmental Enforcement
Discover the quote cards of inspiring women serving as National Ozone Officers, Customs officers and trainers, environmental inspectors, lawyers and judges. Their work shape policy, build institutional capacity, detect illegal trade, ensure compliance and uphold accountability.
Campaign posters
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