GMC wins UNIDO award for women-led green initiatives

Guntur: Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has brought international recognition to the city by winning the prestigious “Gender equality mobilisation” award from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for its innovative efforts in promoting women’s empowerment and sustainable urban development. The award was presented during the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach pilot project workshop held at Vijayawada on Monday. GMC commissioner K Mayur Ashok, along with women sanitation workers, received the award from Surabhi Malik, director of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission.The international recognition was conferred for GMC’s pioneering initiatives that combine women’s empowerment with environmental sustainability. As part of its sanitation reforms, the corporation has significantly increased the participation of women in waste management operations. One of the standout initiatives involved training and employing women as drivers of electric garbage collection vehicles, enabling them to play a leading role in maintaining urban cleanliness while contributing to a zero-emission waste collection system.Commissioner Mayur Ashok said that the unique model not only generated employment opportunities for women but also helped reduce the city’s carbon footprint, earning appreciation from international experts and urban development agencies. The award is linked to the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SC-IAP) Project, launched in India by the Global Environment Facility in 2016 to address emerging environmental challenges through sustainable urban planning. Five cities across the country were selected under the project, including Guntur, Vijayawada (AP), Bhopal (MP), Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Mysuru (Karnataka).Expressing happiness over the achievement, commissioner Mayur Ashok dedicated the award to the public health department staff, particularly the women sanitation workers who contribute tirelessly to keeping the city clean. He said the international recognition would further motivate the corporation to strengthen its efforts in sanitation, environmental protection and sustainable urban development, while striving to make Guntur a model city for inclusive and eco-friendly governance.