IPENer Elena Vasilyeva recognized as a Gender Hero for her work to fight pollution in Volgograd, Russia

In May 2015, the Basel-Rotterdam-Stockholm (BRS) Convention Secretariat released a publication on "Gender Heroes"- From grassroots to global action: A Collection of Stories Featuring Gender Perspectives on the Management of Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes. The Secretariat states: “The stories in this publication have been selected as they raise issues of chemicals and wastes management of particular relevance to gender and highlight actions taken at the individual and community level to protect the most vulnerable segments of our population from the potentially harmful effects of certain chemicals and wastes. “

Exactly half of the 10 articles featured in the publication were written by representatives from IPEN Participating Organizations:
Gender Heroes of the Asia- Pacific by Sarojeni Rengam (Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific)
Women from Almaty Learn about the Danger of Toxic Metals by Lydia Astanina (Greenwomen Analytical Environmental Agency)
A Tribute to Women Fighting against Asbestos in the EECCA Region by Alex Caterbow (Women in Europe for a Common Future)
From Toxics to Green- The Story of Sayra Bano by Bharati Chaturvedi and Chitra Mukherjee (Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group)

The story featuring Elena Vasilyeva is called “Fight for Health and Environmental Justice in Volgograd City,” and was written by Dr. Olga Speranskaya, IPEN Co-Chair and Head of the Chemical Program at NGO Eco-Accord. It highlights Elena's work to fight pollution, seek environmental justice and empower citizens in the city of Volgograd. The story is currently featured on the BRS Convention website under "Gender Heroes of Russia."