Burning Questions: Gender, Health, and Open Waste Burning – from Households to Communities

Register now

Join us for a critical discussion on open waste burning – a widespread yet overlooked crisis affecting millions across the Global South. Delila Khaled of ImpaXus will share research on the gendered dimensions of open waste burning, revealing how this practice affects women and men differently, driven by complex social, economic, and environmental factors. Bishal Bharadwaj, lead author of the recent Nature Cities paper, will present findings on how millions are burning plastic waste as household fuel – releasing toxic chemicals while contaminating food and air. Together, they’ll explore this intersection of energy poverty, waste management failure, and gender inequality, offering practical pathways toward inclusive solutions.

Moderator

• Zoë Lenkiewicz

  Director, Global Waste Lab

Speakers

• Bishal Bharadwaj

  Research Associate, University of Calgary

• Delila Khaled

  Principal, ImpaXus

Time: September 11th, 11.00 UCT