Environmrnt Unit 6

8/12/2019 Environmrnt Unit 6

1/15

Unit 6

WOMEN

AND

SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT

7.5.10


2/15

1. BARRIERS FOR WOMEN

2. WOMEN & SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT

3. PROGRAMS TO REMOVE

OBSTACLES & ACHIEVEOBJECTIVES


3/15

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

That kind of development that meets the needs of

present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their needs.

Thus it is a process of change in which theexploitation of the resources, the direction of

investment, the orientation of technological

development, and institutional change are all in

harmony and enhance both the current and future

potential to meet human needs and aspirations


4/15

1. BARRIERS FOR WOMEN

CONSTRAINTS:

SOCIAL & CULTURAL

ECONOMIC

POLITICAL

LEGAL

JUDICIAL

EFFECT OF CONSTRAINTS


5/15


6/15

LONG TERM

- Women have been victims of negative effects of environmental degradation

- Restrictive social norms; and

- Development policies, which have marginalized them.

Rise in womens social and economic status may maximize their ability to playpositive, far-reaching roles.

Women's pressure groups

NGO: Creating general awareness, lobbying by policy-makers and mobilizingpublic action has had an all round impact on planners, social activists andwomen subjects/actors of change.

Collecting information and generating empirical data to substantiatearguments.

Acceptance does not comes readily, and opposition does not ceases becauseissues related with women in development, are closely related to complexsocial, economic and political issues.

A whole range of measures are needed to deal with these from povertyalleviation and equitable distribution of essential resources, to addressing

women as individuals within families, to creating awareness and mobilizingpublic action.


7/15

3. PROGRAMMES TO REMOVE

OBSTACLES AND ACHIEVE

OBJECTIVES ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

AGRICULRURE

FORESTRY

INDUSTRY

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMRNT CONCERNS


8/15

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

It is essential to draw women into the mainstream of thedevelopment process.

For this a change in perception needs to be brought about, butalso that pragmatic programmes be drawn up.

It is clear that top down approaches rarely succeed. Involving thebeneficiary in the project is essential.

Yet another prerequisite for favorable results is on understandingof the needs, requirements and genius' of' the women concerned.

Womens self perception should be increased. They should be

paid for their work so to enhance their asserts. Established NGOs can be directed and supported, to pick up

projects. New grassroots NGOs should be encouraged by thegovernment.


9/15

AGRICULRURE

The five year Plans should propose diversifying agriculturalproduction to create, employment opportunities through high valueproducts like fruits, vegetables, oil-seeds, meat, milk and poultry. Thisdiversification is proposed on the basis of the ecology of each region. Inthese, i.e., vegetable/fruit/herb production and milk and poultry

activity, the possibility of involving women is high. Looking after cattleand poultry has always been a woman's task. If modernization is beingplanned in this sector, women should be given, the .technical skills toimprove production. This will allow them to continue their traditionalactivity. Women's co-operatives in dairy, food processing, crafts, etc.may be encouraged and set up.

Similarly with fruit and vegetable production. Training women in newmethods and techniques will allow them to be productively employedwithout drastic disturbance to their work patterns.

A very important consideration for the rural areas is a supply of cleanwater. Having to walk long distances for water means a loss of timepoor sanitation and a lack of latrines is a source of distress, for womenand creates unhygienic conditions.


10/15

FORESTRY

Women should be involved in the formal forestrysector; as they are the natural managers of woodfor fuel, fodder and timber, and can be inductedinto this sector as valuable allies.

Training in forestry and the actual establishmentof nurseries would enhance women's opportunitiesfor generating income.

Moreover, information on species that can providefodder, supplement fuel and, generate incomethrough sales would bring multiple benefits to

women.


11/15

INDUSTRY

Encouraging, the formation of women's organizationsaround an enterprise or a number of enterprises.

Providing women with new skills to enable them tohandle purchases, production and. Marketing

Introducing credit schemes to broaden the base ofeconomic activity.

Expanding women's knowledge of markets and skills tocope with market forces;

Mobilizing women home-based piece-rate workers to

organize to demand recognition, better wages, rights andlegislation.

Skill development institutions to improve women'semployment opportunities.


12/15

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Programmes need to be devised with particular attentiontowards overcoming socio-cultural barriers.

For those who have married early and wish to be educated,the age limit for entering educational institutions should be

relaxed. NGO efforts like the Baldia School, Teachers'Association in Karachi where literate women of theneighbourhood hold literacy classes for girls and women ofthe locality.

To facilitate the participation of women with large numbers

of children, day care centres need to be established in ornear' work places. For those living at a distance from their

place of work, transport facilities are essential.


13/15

Towards gender mainstreaming

in environmental policies

A gender sustainabledevelopment perspective shouldbe infused with a commitment tochange the cultural values andsexual division of labour, to attain,in the near future, a state where

men and women share power andlabour in the management andcontrol of fragile ecosystems.

Mariam Abramovay and Gail Lerner (Abramovay and Lerner, 1996, p.11)


14/15

Embarking on a gendermainstreaming

strategy calls for simultaneous steps in

several fundamental domains:

Knowledge and understanding of the issueand validation of womens contributions tosustainable development

At the institutional level, adequate political

will combined with concrete actions Assurance of womens rights, and that they

benefit from environmental goods andservices


15/15

Continued..

Full participation of women at all levels,

particularly in decision-making

Improvement of the socio-economic

position of women

Womens empowerment

Identifying the impact of the macro contexton women and their environment.

Environmrnt Unit 6

Documents

Transcript of Environmrnt Unit 6