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In the arid landscapes of Iran, where the unforgiving sun and effects of climate change are taking their toll on dryland communities, a remarkable woman has been transforming women’s participation in land management. Dr Tayebe Mesbahzadeh, an Associate Professor at the University of Tehran, is leading the battle against desertification and environmental degradation for the benefit of her country’s women.

Promoting women's collective action against drought

As an adviser to the president on women and family affairs at College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Iran and Independent Scientist of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,  Tayebe is a relentless advocate for both environmental justice and women’s rights. Her desire to champion the latter is rooted in her own experience. 

"I am a woman, and therefore I know the conditions, obstacles, and needs of women in my society very well," she says. When working on her first project in Iran, which focused on the restoration of degraded lands using new methods to combat sand and dust storms, she worked in truly gruelling conditions, including scorching temperatures and the risk of strong winds. However, when she met the women of the villages near her project site and shared her research project with them, their curiosity and enthusiasm were infectious. A wave of women joined her mission to rehabilitate degraded lands and it was this pivotal moment that transformed Tayebe into an advocate for women's empowerment. 

Although to the untrained eye land degradation and gender inequality may seem unrelated, they are not. Unequal distribution of natural resources exacerbates existing gender inequalities, something that Tayebe saw first-hand in her work.  Women are often excluded from decision-making processes regarding resource management, limiting their ability to influence policies that directly impact their lives. Tayebe encouraged the women she worked with through her project to learn techniques to protect and restore the land. She supported the local women in building their technical knowledge and skills on how to increase mycorrhizal fungi’s resistance to drought and salinity and improve its irrigation period. They also learned to prepare their backyards for the production and propagation of desert seedlings. In doing so, they became ambassadors for environmental conservation, spreading their knowledge and motivation throughout their communities. Tayebe realised that ensuring access to training and credit to women and making their efforts visible could accelerate the preservation of our planet. 

“Women were the first teachers on earth, every child learns the alphabet of life from the warm embrace of the mother,” Tayebe said. “I know that by empowering women to work together and teach others, we can better preserve our planet”.

Education: a pre-requirement for a greater opportunities

In her quest to make a difference, Tayebe has not only focused on women's participation in land restoration projects but has also been actively involved in supporting the women's educational programmes, particularly in rural areas. She understands that education is a powerful pre requirement for empowerment, boosting women’s confidence, skills, and chances to Achieve economic opportunities. Through her work as a member of the academic board of the University of Tehran, Tayebe conducts technical and skill training through land protection projects. She holds lectures for women in the field of natural resources protection, building women’s capacities to rehabilitate degraded lands. She contributes to leadership training programs, mentorship opportunities for women interested in dryland restoration and networking platforms for women who want to pursue careers in natural resource management. She encourages women to participate in community-level organizations and committees, enabling them to contribute more effectively.  

WeCaN’s adding value

As part of her work on projects in dryland areas, Tayebe visited areas bordering Iran and spoke with women living there, who deal with challenges brought on by climate change and drought every single day. This inspired her to raise further awareness and she began to seek out international societies that she could cooperate with. This is how she came to join WeCaN in 2023.

For Tayebe, one of the effective ways of empowering women is through international investments and support.

“Women, girls and children are much more vulnerable to climate change and need more support, and am ready to serve and empower all the capable women and girls of the world,” Tayebe said.  “I request that all international organizations form specialized network like WeCaN to  give us a space to manage crises with help, cooperation and empathy.

Tayebe's journey is a testament to the power of one woman's determination to bring about positive change. By sowing the seeds of empowerment and gender equality, Tayebe is nurturing a greener, more equal future for all.