Societies across the world have long been undergoing important changes to address issues of inequality, ensuring equal rights and opportunities are available to all individuals, but there is still much progress to be made. Traditionally, women were the “custodians of the hearth”. Now women are gaining access to the same opportunities and same pay as men. Efforts to understand the experiences of youth in the 21st century are also being increasingly emphasized, as well as the intergenerational aspects of communities that support youth and create pathways for them to be engaged in activities that strengthen their wellbeing and sense of connection to the environment. However, change is not evenly spread across nations.

As discussed in the presentations found on this page, the involvement of women and youth in conservation and natural resource management can promote education and sustainable livelihood opportunities, in turn helping to support social and environmental wellbeing, boosting the local economy within their communities, and challenging conventional notions of resource based livelihood activities as “men’s work”.

In the studies found here, interview data, observations and other findings are shared from local communities in locations such as Tajikistan, Iran, Liberia, and Canada. They demonstrate that the process of challenging traditional views of the role of women and youth (particularly in rural communities) is not always easy, but can bring many benefits to the wellbeing of the local community, economy and environment.

Key Themes:
Factors of Success in Community Conservation, Livelihoods, Engagement, Education & Empowerment

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In many nations – particularly those which are considered to be developing or affected by conflict, it has been found that women are often primarily responsible for ensuring their household needs (such as access to potable water, food, and energy) are being sufficiently met. As such, they play a critical role in the management and use of natural resources. However, as emphasized by the speakers who contributed to this session; there is still a concerning lack of understanding regarding the notable impact women can have on the policy development and implementation process within their respective communities, and beyond. In appreciation of this, a discussion of comparative traditional and/or cultural gender relations and dynamics of power (which limit potential female participation in governance) is provided through personal accounts by women hailing from Madagascar, Guatemala, Hawaii, and Pakistan.

An emphasis is placed on the need to push toward equal recognition of women’s knowledge and capacity to contribute to sustainable development and natural resource management. As human and environmental well-being go hand in hand, it is important to recognize that policies which consider the interests of both spheres simultaneously are more likely to be effective in the long-term -and to be well regarded by local communities. Therefore, active participation of all demographics, including females, in sustaining livelihoods and natural resource management can only lead to a more rich set of perspectives and priorities in the decision making process.

Key Themes:

Engagement, Education & Empowerment,  Factors of Success in Community Conservation, Livelihoods, Governance, Rights & Conflict, Conserved Areas

Panelists:

Shaelene Kamaka’ala, from Hawaii, jointly founded the Kahana Kilo Kai program for grassroots and community-based ocean monitoring, and is currently a Community Based Fisheries Area coordinator.

Meher Marker Noshirwani (Pakistan) works in the field of women, development, environment and climate change, and is the Regional Vice Chair for Asia of the IUCN’s Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy (CEESP).

Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy (Madagascar) has a particular interest in ocean governance, indigenous communities and human rights defense. She focuses on coastal communities as the future of the fisheries in Madagascar, and currently coordinates Madagascar’s LMMAs (Locally Managed Marine Areas) Network.

Yeshing Juliana Upún Yos is a Mayan Kaqchikel woman from Guatemala. She focuses on the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples, especially as they relate to natural resources and sustainable development, with a focus on biodiversity conservation based on traditional knowledge.

Discussion Facilitated by Kristen Walker-Painemilla (Chair, IUCN Commission on Environment, Economics, and Social Policy (CEESP))

Video:

Advancing gender equality and promoting women’s and girls’ rights, as well as the rights of all communities and populations who are, persistently, among the more marginalized and disenfranchised, is an essential component of the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources as well as for supporting local economies and livelihoods. This session brings together IUCN experts, partners, practitioners and community members to share experiences and strategies for promoting women’s empowerment and gender-responsive solutions to advance and enhance conservation and sustainable development on the ground.

A panel of experts discussed examples of projects and case studies of successful gender-responsive approaches in conservation projects from around the world, and shared perspectives and experiences with conference attendees – with the aim of highlighting key progress made in this field, sharing lessons learned and remaining challenges of relevance to communities, policy-makers, researchers and a range of organizations.

Key Themes:

Governance, Rights & Conflict, Engagement, Education & Empowerment, Livelihoods, Climate & Environmental Changes

Presenters:

Seline Meijer (IUCN)

Lorena Aguilar (IUCN)

Meher Noshirwani (CEESP)

Adrienne McKeehan (Conservation Initiative on Human Rights/ Conservation International)

Presented Material: