Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis and Action Plan for Hariyo Ban Program II

The program builds on the advances made in Hariyo Ban I, which reduced threats to biodiversity and climate vulnerability, and increased ecological and community resilience. A Rapid Assessment of GESI was conducted in September 2016, which involved reviewing project evaluation reports, interviewing key personnel, and consulting with program partners and beneficiaries. The assessment focused on analyzing the underlying causes and consequences of gender inequality and social exclusion in relation to biodiversity threats and climate change vulnerabilities. Key findings from the assessment include a lack of respect from men towards women in executive positions, intimidation of women, and limited capacity of women and marginalized groups to take part in leadership roles. Additionally, there is a lack of understanding, commitment, and accountability for GESI mainstreaming among program staff and consortium partners. The GESI Action Plan aims to achieve the program objectives through improving the lives of women, Dalits, and marginalized groups. The plan includes developing and revising targeted tools and techniques to reach out to poor and vulnerable women and marginalized people. Analyzing the GESI status of consortium partners is also an area included in the GESI analysis. The plan focuses on three result areas: improved internal GESI policies, standards, and governance practiced by user groups; more women, youth, and marginalized people engaging in effective leadership, decision making, and advocacy; and improved technical capacity of user groups to advance local solutions on biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation issues. Implementation of the GESI Action Plan will cover work in the landscapes with communities and policy and institutional level interventions. The program will continue and scale up successful approaches pursued during the first phase of Hariyo Ban. The plan outlines actions, processes, responsibility, and timelines for the proposed Action Plan. The Hariyo Ban Program II will implement this plan to accelerate GESI mainstreaming and achieve the program objectives. Key stakeholders involved in the program include the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), CARE, Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN), and the Nepal Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). The program is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The GESI Action Plan aims to address the underlying causes and consequences of gender inequality and social exclusion in relation to biodiversity threats and climate change vulnerabilities. The plan focuses on improving the lives of women, Dalits, and marginalized groups and achieving the program objectives through improved internal GESI policies, standards, and governance, and more women, youth, and marginalized people engaging in effective leadership, decision making, and advocacy. The plan includes developing and revising targeted tools and techniques to reach out to poor and vulnerable women and marginalized people. Analyzing the GESI status of consortium partners is also an area included in the GESI analysis. The program will continue and scale up successful approaches pursued during the first phase of Hariyo Ban. The Hariyo Ban Program II GESI Action Plan aims to accelerate mainstreaming of GESI in the CHAL and TAL. The plan focuses on improving the lives of women, Dalits, and marginalized groups and achieving the program objectives through improved internal GESI policies, standards, and governance, and more women, youth, and marginalized people engaging in effective leadership, decision making, and advocacy.