Unit 6

WOMEN AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

7.5.10

1. BARRIERS 2.

FOR WOMEN

WOMEN & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

3.

PROGRAMS TO REMOVE OBSTACLES & ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES

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 the exploitation 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

1. BARRIERS FOR WOMEN

CONSTRAINTS: SOCIAL & CULTURAL ECONOMIC POLITICAL LEGAL JUDICIAL EFFECT OF CONSTRAINTS

2. WOMEN'S POTENTIAL ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

TRENDS Industrial Development Reversing the trends policies, NGO role POTENTIAL : Short Term

Education Employment
Long Term .

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 play positive, far-reaching roles. Women's pressure groups NGO: Creating general awareness, lobbying by policy-makers and mobilizing public action has had an all round impact on planners, social activists and women subjects/actors of change. Collecting information and generating empirical data to substantiate arguments. Acceptance does not comes readily, and opposition does not ceases because issues related with women in development, are closely related to complex social, economic and political issues. A whole range of measures are needed to deal with these from poverty alleviation and equitable distribution of essential resources, to addressing women as individuals within families, to creating awareness and mobilizing public action.

3. PROGRAMMES TO REMOVE OBSTACLES AND ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AGRICULRURE FORESTRY INDUSTRY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMRNT CONCERNS

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

It is essential to draw women into the mainstream of the development process. For this a change in perception needs to be brought about, but also that pragmatic programmes be drawn up. It is clear that top down approaches rarely succeed. Involving the beneficiary in the project is essential. Yet another prerequisite for favorable results is on understanding of 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 the government.

AGRICULRURE

The five year Plans should propose diversifying agricultural production to create, employment opportunities through high value products like fruits, vegetables, oil-seeds, meat, milk and poultry. This diversification is proposed on the basis of the ecology of each region. In these, i.e., vegetable/fruit/herb production and milk and poultry activity, the possibility of involving women is high. Looking after cattle and poultry has always been a woman's task. If modernization is being planned in this sector, women should be given, the .technical skills to improve production. This will allow them to continue their traditional activity. 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 new methods and techniques will allow them to be productively employed without drastic disturbance to their work patterns. A very important consideration for the rural areas is a supply of clean water. Having to walk long distances for water means a loss of time poor sanitation and a lack of latrines is a source of distress, for women and creates unhygienic conditions.

FORESTRY

Women should be involved in the formal forestry sector; as they are the natural managers of wood for fuel, fodder and timber, and can be inducted into this sector as valuable allies. Training in forestry and the actual establishment of nurseries would enhance women's opportunities for generating income. Moreover, information on species that can provide fodder, supplement fuel and, generate income through sales would bring multiple benefits to women.

INDUSTRY

Encouraging, the formation of women's organizations around an enterprise or a number of enterprises. Providing women with new skills to enable them to handle purchases, production and. Marketing Introducing credit schemes to broaden the base of economic activity. Expanding women's knowledge of markets and skills to cope with market forces; Mobilizing women home-based piece-rate workers to organize to demand recognition, better wages, rights and legislation. Skill development institutions to improve women's employment opportunities.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Programmes need to be devised with particular attention towards 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 the neighbourhood hold literacy classes for girls and women of the locality. To facilitate the participation of women with large numbers of children, day care centres need to be established in or near' work places. For those living at a distance from their place of work, transport facilities are essential.

Towards gender mainstreaming in environmental policies

A gender sustainable development perspective should be infused with a commitment to change the cultural values and sexual division of labour, to attain, in the near future, a state where men and women share power and labour in the management and control of fragile ecosystems.
Mariam Abramovay and Gail Lerner (Abramovay and Lerner, 1996, p.11)

Embarking on a gendermainstreaming strategy calls for simultaneous steps in several fundamental domains:

Knowledge and understanding of the issue and validation of womens contributions to sustainable development At the institutional level, adequate political will combined with concrete actions Assurance of womens rights, and that they benefit from environmental goods and services

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 context on women and their environment.