Gender equality is critical to the success of conservation and development projects. But how do we create it where it’s missing?
A conservation research project was assessing bush meat use in a forest. They talked to the men, who were the hunters, about what species of animals, and how many, they were catching, killing and bringing out of the forest. The number seemed suspiciously high, so the researchers thought it best to check with the women in the village, who were processing and cooking the bush meat. The numbers they got from the women were much lower.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on the EcoAgriculture Blog on the occasion of International Women’s Day. It is reposted here with permission.
This story, from Conservation International gender expert Kame Westerman, humorously illustrates why it is so critical to include women in conservation and development decision-making processes. Without equal participation, projects like the one in the story have a much greater chance of failure.
“Every project, program or policy that affects people has a gender component…” – Kame Westerman, Conservation International
In anticipation of 2016’s International Women’s Day (March 8th), Westerman spoke with EcoAgriculture Partners’ Mara Novak to discuss the benefits of and barriers to gender equality in conservation projects, how conservation programs can overcome these barriers, and how we measure gender equality at the community, national and international level.
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More on gender
Challenges to improving equity in the Gash Die – Thrive, Abby Waldorf
Strengthening women’s land rights: what does data have to do with it? – Thrive, Cheryl Doss
Communicating research in a gender responsive way – CGIAR Research on Gender and Agriculture
If you care about the environment, you should care about gender – World Resources Institute, Natalie Elwell and Yasmine Williams
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