Gender in community development and resource management : an overview

This paper outlines women"s economic and environmental roles and the socioeconomic, institutional, and policy/program constraints that exclude them from resource management initiatives. It also presents five brief case studies of successful initiatives in India, Kenya, Nepal, and the Philippines to involve women in resource management, along with the following lessons they teach. (1) Linking women"s economic survival needs and environmental roles with conservation efforts enhances project sustainability. Demonstrating to women producers the extent to which their future livelihood depends on their present use of resources is especially important. (2) Projects should build upon women"s traditional activities, then offer supplemental assistance and training as required. (3) Making small changes in agricultural techniques is inexpensive and can substantially improve conservation productivity. (4) Conflicts between women"s multiple responsibilities must be minimized to secure their participation in conservation activities. (5) Intermediary institutions can facilitate women"s access to resources needed to increase productivity and enhance conservation. (6) Grassroots groups can mobilize poor women and enhance their bargaining power with agencies that have access to resources and political clout. (7) Incorporating women into conservation projects will require changes in project operations and tools; training materials will need to be rewritten, staff retrained, and training schedules made more flexible.