Gender and Biodiversity Module

Opening
Learning from experience:
Men and women tend to have different roles in the management and use of ecosystems
and natural resources. This is due to various factors, including differences in ownership,
knowledge, rights and uses. Consider this example:
“In Kenya, a project to plant trees for use as firewood was planned with the participation
of local men. After the project was initiated and seedlings distributed, it was found that
women in the community were unwilling to put in extra hours required for water
collecting - a task considered to be women's responsibility. The failure to consult women
in the planning phase meant that a key management issue was not addressed - the
watering of the trees. Local women were indifferent to the success of the project and
many of the seedlings died from lack of water. In the project's second phase, women
were involved in the selection of the tree species and agreed to play a role in the
management of the project, which resulted in a successful nursery that is now
maintained by the community and provides a stable source of income for both women
and men.”
Why you should take this module?
This module will show you why men and women may value biodiversity differently, what
kinds of social factors lead to gender inequalities in the management of biodiversity, and
how to engage both women and men in improved governance systems that will foster a
more equitable and sustainable use of biological resources.
This course is not just an opportunity to learn; it is a call for action. What will you do
differently?

Sources:
Gender Matters Quarterly. 2001. Gender and Community Conservation. Available from
http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnacp513.pdf
0. Introduction
0.1 Cover

0.2 How to Use this Module

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Click icon: Click/hover over to reveal more information
Further information icon: Click for further information
Facts & Figures icon: Click to reveal additional data
Drop down text icon: Click to drop down text
Close window icon: Click to close window
Complementary reading icon: Click to access complementary reading
Legal frameworks icon: Click for reference to a legal framework
Point of reflection icon: Point of reflection
Activity icon: Activity/Exercise

0.3 Gender Equality and Natural Resources: Why is This Important?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TOvdzDAro0&t=4s (first minute)

Self-reflection: Can you think of any gender inequalities in relation to biodiversity
conservation, management and use of natural resources?
0.4 Learning Objectives

0.5 Point of Reflection

06 Module Overview

1. Section 1
1.1 Section 1 - Gender and Biodiversity

This section introduces the linkages between gender and biodiversity focusing on their
interconnection.
1.2 Exercise: A Sneak Peek into the Numbers

Answer: 73 per cent

Further information: The percentage of women who are economically active in the
agricultural sector amounts to 73 per cent in Congo. According to global data, women
comprise 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force.
In rural areas, the numbers are even higher - up to 95 per cent of women living in rural
areas are economically active in the agricultural sector, compared to 63.8 per cent of
men. However, there are considerable variations from region to region, and within
countries. For example, in South Asia, women represent only 35 per cent of agricultural
workers, while in the Pacific, they represent 52 per cent.
Women’s active role in agriculture is very visible in seed saving, cultivating and
maintaining local crop varieties. Women’s central role in household food production is
critical to local to local food and nutrition security and resilience to environmental
changes.
Source:
FAO, Role of Women in Agrculture, available from
<http://www.fao.org/docrep/v8194e/v8194e01.htm>
1.3 Exercise: A Sneak Peek into the Numbers

Answer: 45
Further information: A study in Amazonia found that, compared with men, women were
able to identify a broader range of plant species (i.e. trees, vegetables, vines, bushes and
herbs) and usable plant parts (i.e. fruits, barks, leaves, seeds and roots).
Knowledge of a broad range of plant species is particularly important in natural
disasters and food crises. In many places, women’s familiarity with tree products such
as fruits, nuts, medicinal materials and wood fuel plays a crucial role in coping with food
shortages.

Sources:
Shanley, S. & Gaia, G.R. 2001. Equitable ecology: collaborative learning for local benefit
in Amazonia. In Agriculture Systems, 73: 83–97.
Stloukal, L., Holding, C., Kaaria, S., Guarascio, F. and Gunewardena, N. 2013. Forests,
Food Security and Gender. In Unasylva 241, Vol. 64, 2013/2. Available from
http://www.fao.org/docrep/019/i3482e/i3482e05.pdf
1.4 Exercise: A Sneak Peek into the Numbers

Answer: 60 per cent

Further information: In fish processing factories surveyed in India, 60 per cent of
workers were young women. In Vietnam, women make up 80 per cent of the aquaculture
workforce. In West Africa, as much as 80 per cent of seafood is marketed by women.
Globally, women's most prominent role in small-scale and industrial fisheries is in post-
harvest processing and distribution.
However, despite their important role in the fishing community and their dependence on
fishery resources for consumption and sale, women are generally excluded from
decision-making processes for marine conservation and fisheries management.

Sources:
FAO. Gender - FAO Programme: Fisheries. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-programme/gender-fisheries/en/
1.5 Key Message

1.6 Exercise: What Are the Sources of Gender Differences and Inequalities in
Biodiversity?

• Differences in the activities and tasks performed by women and men shape their
reliance on biological resources. A gendered division of labour may result in
different attitudes and values towards biodiversity protection and management.
This is particularly relevant when women are not able to voice their concerns.
(Roles and responsibilities)
• Gender often determines one’s access to, and control over, land, productive
assets and biological resources. This can have a direct impact on agricultural
productivity and investment in sustainable management practices. It may also
increase women’s vulnerabilities to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
 (Rights and access)
• Differences in the use of resources lead women and men to develop distinct
knowledge about biodiversity. Both women’s and men’s knowledge, including
indigenous knowledge, is equally valuable in ensuring the effective conservation
and sustainable use of biodiversity. In this context, inequalities in access to
education, technology and services need to be taken into account. (Knowledge)
• Time constraints and lower educational levels often lead women to be less
directly engaged in decision-making processes related to biodiversity
management, conservation and sustainable use. (Decision-making power)
• Since women and men use resources differently, they are not necessarily
similarly affected by biodiversity loss and changes in management practices.
Women typically face greater levels of vulnerability to biodiversity loss,
ecosystem degradation, climate change and natural disasters than men.
(Vulnerabilities)
• Failure to take gender into account in ecosystem management and conservation
can perpetuate unequal sharing of benefits, increased social inequalities and
contribute to unintended negative impacts. As a result, women may be further
marginalized and the effectiveness of conservation projects decreased. (Risks)

Sources:
IUCN, CBD and Japan Biodiversity Fund. 2015. Gender and Biodiversity Technical Guide.
Available from https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/gender-and-
biodiversity-technical-guide-3.pdf
Photo credit: Kibae Park1. UN Photo.

1.7 Access, Control, and Benefits from Biological Diversity

Hover over Access, Control and Benefits to learn more.
Access: Access to resources implies the right or the opportunity to use those resources.
It also entails the social organization of production, foraging, storage and exchange.
When communities are occupying the same areas, most of the time there are well-
developed rules regarding the farming of land and the gathering of forest or fishing
products.
Control: Control over natural resources entails the ownership, decision-making and
management of such resources. Control is determined by social and cultural norms, as
well as the laws that govern the ownership of natural resources, the allocation of power
to take decisions, and the collection and use of natural resource revenue.
Benefits: Biodiversity offers a wide range of social, economic and environmental
monetary and non-monetary benefits to individuals and society. It provides ecosystem
services such as water purification and climate moderation that enhance the
productivity of agriculture, forests and fisheries, and improve human health.

Sources:
Nyeleni. 2007. Access to and Control over Natural Resources for Food Sovereignty.
Available from https://nyeleni.org/spip.php?article115
Shah, A. 2014. Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares? Available from
http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares

1.8 Access, Control, Benefits and Gender

Hover over the elements to find out what might be the gender implication of unequal
access to, control over and sharing of the benefits from biodiversity.
Access: In many parts of the world, women are excluded from consultation processes,
and the design and implementation of biodiversity-related initiatives. Even when they are
not formally excluded, women may be reluctant to speak in the presence of men or
outsiders because of existing gender cultural norms regarding age, ethnicity or social
status. Moreover, the women most likely to be consulted are often part of the local elite,
whose concerns may be different to those of poorer women.
Control: In many countries, custom prohibits women from owning land. In many cases,
women only have land use rights mediated or controlled by men. Under customary laws,
forests and lands are owned by their communities and indigenous women often do not
have the motivation to invest in conservation practices. These gender inequalities are
not only a developing country problem. For instance, in 2007, only 28.7 per cent of farm
holders in European Union countries were women.
Benefits: Men are more likely to be involved in the commercialization of natural resource
products (e.g. timber harvesting, coffee farming) which is more visible and considered
more valuable than women’s domestic work (e.g. collecting water, home gardening).
Even though women’s work contributes to the stream revenue and the well-being of all
family members, their contributions tend to go unnoticed. Women and men are more
likely to make environmentally sound land management decisions when they have
secure ownership and know they can benefit over the long-term.
Sources:
European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). Agriculture and Rural Development.
Available from http://eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/policy-areas/agriculture-
and-rural-development
FAO. Gender - FAO Programme: Natural Resources. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-programme/gender-natural/en/
ICIMOD. 2010. Gender Mainstreaming in Biodiversity Conservation and Management in
the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region. Available from
http://lib.icimod.org/record/26908/files/attachment_722.pdf
IUCN. 2001. Women in the Plant world: The significance of women and gender bias for
biodiversity conservation. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/women_in_the_plant_world.pdf
IUCN. 2004. Diversity Makes the Difference: actions to guarantee gender equity in the
application of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2004-005-En.pdf
IUCN. 2017. Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Equity in ABS Governance. Available
from https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2007-078.pdf
Nyuyinwi, M. 2011. Women and Access to Natural Resources (Forests and Land).
Available from http://pfbc-cbfp.org/docs/news/Octobre-decembre per
cent202011/ICRAF-REPAR-WOMEN per cent20ACCESS per cent20TO per
cent20NATURAL per cent20RESOURCES.pdf
Photo Credit: GEF website. Available from http://www.thegef.org/
1.9 How Do Women Contribute to Biodiversity Conservation?

Click to learn more:

The role of women as...
● Crop producers and primary managers of traditional seeds, forest resources and
medicinal plants.
● Entrepreneurs building businesses based on the sustainable use of biological
resources.
● Innovators who contribute to community efforts to reduce pressure on natural
resources and enhance ecosystem functions and services. Their knowledge can
also be applied as alternative sources of information, like learning from the
traditional cooking recipes used by women in Yucatán, Mexico.
● Knowledge brokers - women and men have complementary knowledge and
perceptions of their natural environment and the biodiversity around them.
● Managers - women, as well as men, are managers of biological resources and
can provide valuable input in planning and implementing conservation initiatives.

Sources:
IUCN. 2001. Women in the Plant world: The significance of women and gender bias for
biodiversity conservation. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/women_in_the_plant_world.pdf
IUCN. Aguilar, L., Blanco, M. and Zúñiga, P. Protected Areas: Gender Makes the
Difference. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/gender_makes_the_difference_prot
ected_areas.pdf
IUCN. 2004. Diversity Makes the Difference: actions to guarantee gender equity in the
application of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2004-005-En.pdf
IUCN. 2007. Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Equity in ABS Governance. Available
from https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2007-078.pdf
Nyuyinwi, M. 2011. Women and Access to Natural Resources (Forests and Land).
Available from http://pfbc-cbfp.org/docs/news/Octobre-decembre per
cent202011/ICRAF-REPAR-WOMEN per cent20ACCESS per cent20TO per
cent20NATURAL per cent20RESOURCES.pdf
Photo Credits: Toa Heftibaon. Unsplash.

1.10 Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity

Further information: Indigenous women and men play a critical role in biodiversity
conservation, given their often direct dependence on natural resources, their intimate
and holistic knowledge of ecosystems, and the sustainable management practices
accumulated over generations.
Projects and policies that create protected areas, restrict natural resource use, and/or
develop new natural resource management regimes need to ensure that indigenous
peoples, including women, are included in the development and consultation process.
Sources:
IUCN. 2014. Access to Genetic Resources in Latin America and the Caribbean: support
tools for
implementation.https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2014-024-
En.pdf
IUCN. 2004. Diversity Makes the Difference: actions to guarantee gender equity in the
application of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2004-005-En.pdf
1.11 Gender, Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity

Click on What are the issues and challenges?

1) Land, territory, natural resources and conflict: Indigenous peoples’ territories
often contain rich natural resources, which make them particularly attractive and
vulnerable to conflict. As other parties move in to capitalize on these resources,
indigenous groups can lose access and control over their traditional lands. This
has an impact on their vital synergy with the environment and may threaten their
rights. These situations also increase the vulnerability of indigenous women who
lose their traditional livelihoods.
2) Globalization: Globalization is challenging for indigenous women and men, but
particularly for women. Their role as caregiver is devalued if they do not make a
direct financial contribution to the family income. Furthermore, the land
exploitation by multinational corporations on indigenous peoples' territories has
limited women’s access to natural resources necessary for their and their
families’ livelihoods.
Click on How can these challenges be addressed?
1) Increase the participation of indigenous women in policy-making and decision-
making bodies as well as in teaching institutions and environmental agencies.
2) Implement recommendations of international declarations that recognize the
crucial role of indigenous peoples in environmental preservation.
3) Promote capacity-building and empowerment of indigenous women, support
them in becoming community advocates.
Complementary reading: Indigenous women have initiated a series of measures and
strategies to tackle biodiversity loss and respond to environmental challenges. To find
out more, please access Messages from Indigenous Women on Biodiversity and Climate
Change. Available from
http://www.infoe.de/web/images/stories/pdf/women_booklet_english.pdf

Sources:
United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of
Women and the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues. Gender and Indigenous Peoples. Available from
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/BriefingNote1_GREY.pdf

1.12 Key Message

2. Section 2
2.1 Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation and Management from a Gender
Perspective

Learn more about how gender inequalities affect biodiversity conservation in forestry,
fisheries, agriculture and protected areas and how these inequalities can be addressed.

2.2 Biodiversity, Gender Differences and Gaps

Further information: Gender differences increase gender-based inequalities and

accelerate the depletion of natural resources and the degradation of ecosystems. Such
differences and gaps need to be addressed at all levels of society and will require
committed action. Efforts to incorporate gender issues into biodiversity policy, planning
and programming are underway, but more has to be done.
Continue to explore gender differences and gaps in four key areas.
Click on Biodiversity, Gender Differences and Gaps: The term gender gap refers to any
disparity and inequality between women’s and men’s condition due to their position or
role in society. It concerns inequalities in terms of their participation, their access to
opportunities, rights, power to influence and make decisions, incomes and benefits, and
control and use of resources.
Sources:
CBD. 2011. Gender and Biodiversity. Available from
https://www.cbd.int/gender/doc/cbd-factsheet-gender-en.pdf
GEF. 2017. GEF Policy on Gender Equality
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)
http://eige.europa.eu/rdc/thesaurus/terms/1157
2.3 Point of Reflection

2.4 Biodiversity, Gender Differences and Gaps in Forestry, Agriculture, Fisheries

and Protected Areas
2.5 Gender Gap – Forestry

Click on Across the world:

● There are often distinctive roles for women and men associated with access to
and benefits from collection and sale of forest products. Globally, women's
forest knowledge tends to be more linked to household, health and food
consumption. This knowledge, which is particularly important during food crises,
often goes unrecognized.
● Men’s knowledge is generally associated with commercial uses and thereby
compensated monetarily. This generates and perpetuates inequalities in income
and power, as well as control and access to benefits.
● Forest management groups with a significant proportion of women in Latina
America, African and Asia show better results in terms of collaboration,
solidarity, conflict resolution and collective action. They have also report higher
levels of forest health.
Click on Benefits of empowerment
Empowering women in the forest sector can create sustainable benefits for them, their
households and communities. Women’s participation in forest-related decisions can
maximize the contribution to food security from forests. For example, women often have
substantial knowledge on the identification, collection and preparation of forest foods.
This can complement agricultural production and add nutritional value to family meals.
Sources:
CBD. Gender Perspectives on Biodiversity. Available from
https://www.cbd.int/gender/doc/fs-gender-perspectives-en.pdf
FAO. 2013. Forests, food security and gender: linkages, disparities and priorities for
action. Available from http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/mg488e/mg488e.pdf
IUCN. 2004. Diversity Makes the Difference: actions to guarantee gender equity in the
application of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2004-005-En.pdf
IUCN, EGI and UN Women. 2015. Gender Focal Points and Policies in National
Environmental Ministries. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/egi_focal_point_brief_sept15.pdf
IUCN, EGI and UN Women. 2015. Women’s Participation in Global Environmental
Decision Making. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/egi_factsheet_desicion_making_we
b_sept2015.pdf
Sunderland, T., Achdiawan, R., Angelsen, A., Babigumira, R., Ickowitz, A., Paumgarten, F.,
Reyes-García, V. and Shively, G. 2014. Challenging Perceptions about Men, Women, and
Forest Product Use: A Global Comparative Study. In World Development, Volume 64,
Supplement 1, December 2014, Pages S56-S66. Available from https://ac.els-
cdn.com/S0305750X14000692/1-s2.0-S0305750X14000692-main.pdf?_tid=8d9d73ee-
ff7f-11e7-892e-
00000aab0f27&acdnat=1516631076_59b0f7305c98ff9ba737d2ef53f1cba0
Westermann, O., Ashby, J. and Pretty, J. 2005. Gender and social capital: The importance
of gender differences for the maturity and effectiveness of natural resource
management groups. In World Development Volume 33, Issue 11, November 2005,
Pages 1783-1799. Available from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X05001439

2.6 Integrating a Gender Perspective in Biodiversity Policies and Projects –

Forestry
Sources:
ADB and Australian Aid. 2013. Toolkit on Gender Equality Results and Indicators.
Available from https://www.oecd.org/derec/adb/tool-kit-gender-equality-results-
indicators.pdf
FAO. Gender – Gender Programme: Forests. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-programme/gender-forests/en/
FAO. Gender – Why Gender: Policy Recommendations. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-why/policy-recommendations/en/
IUCN. Maximizing Conservation in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Gender
Consideration. Available from http://www.prb.org/pdf/IUCNGenderFolleto.pdf

2.7 Gender Gap – Agriculture

Click on Women in agriculture

● On average, women provide more than 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force in
developing countries. However, in many regions, due to discriminatory social norms
and laws, women do not have land rights, enjoy limited access or control over
resources and are underrepresented in rural organizations and institutions. As a
consequence, women’s voices are rarely heard in decision-making processes for
community-owned lands, and thus only receive five per cent of agricultural services
worldwide.
Clock on Benefits of empowerment
● If women had the same access to productive resources as men, the yields of their
farms could increase by 20–30 per cent. This, in turn, could increase agricultural
outputs in developing countries by up to four per cent, potentially reducing the
number of malnourished people by 100–150 million.
● Closing the gender gap in labour markets of 95 countries will increase the GDPs of
 each respective country by at least nine per cent and the global GDP by as much as
28 trillion USD or 26 per cent.

Sources:
CBD. Gender Perspectives on Biodiversity. Available from
https://www.cbd.int/gender/doc/fs-gender-perspectives-en.pdf
EIGE. 2017. Gender and Agriculture and Rural Development. Available from
http://eige.europa.eu/rdc/eige-publications/gender-agriculture-and-rural-development
GIZ. Rural Development: Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security. Available
from http://www.gender-in-german-development.net/rural-development.html
Global Gender and Environmental Outlook (GGEO) website. Available from
http://web.unep.org/ggeo
IUCN. 2004. Diversity Makes the Difference: actions to guarantee gender equity in the
application of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2004-005-En.pdf
Scherr, S. J. and McNeely, J. A. 2007. Biodiversity conservation and agricultural
sustainability: towards a new paradigm of ‘ecoagriculture’ landscapes. Available from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610165/
UNDP. 2017. Gender, Climate Change and Food Security. Available from
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-
empowerment/gender-climate-change-food-security.html
UNDP, UNEP, UNPC and UN Women. 2013. Women and Natural Resources Unlocking the
Peacebuilding Potential. Available from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/women-and-
natural-resources-unlocking-peacebuilding-potential

2.8 Integrating a Gender Perspective in Biodiversity Policies and Projects –

Agriculture
Sources:
ADB and Australian Aid. 2013. Toolkit on Gender Equality Results and Indicators.
Available from https://www.oecd.org/derec/adb/tool-kit-gender-equality-results-
indicators.pdf
FAO. Gender – Why Gender: Policy Recommendations. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-why/policy-recommendations/en/
IUCN. Maximizing Conservation in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Gender
Consideration. Available from http://www.prb.org/pdf/IUCNGenderFolleto.pdf
UNDP. 2017. Gender, Climate Change and Food Security. Available from
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-
empowerment/gender-climate-change-food-security.html

2.9 Gender Gap – Fisheries

Click on Women in Fisheries across the world
• On average, 47 per cent of the 120 million people who work in the capture
fisheries and post-harvest sectors are women. In aquaculture, this figure is up to
70 per cent.
• While women account for 85 per cent of employees involved in tasks such as
evisceration, filling boxes or other processing tasks, few occupy managerial
positions.
● Women accounted for 5.4 million of the 45 million people engaged full-time or
part-time in the primary fisheries and aquaculture sector in 2008, which means
that they represented 12 per cent of the sector’s total workforce.
Click on Gender roles and division of labour in fisheries
● Roles in the fisheries sector are often divided along gender lines. For instance,
harvesting fish in coastal and deep-sea waters is almost always a male-
dominated activity. Women in fishing households perform preparatory work, such
as mending nets, therefore making an “informal" contribution, which is rarely
remunerated and not considered to be “real” work.
● One of the most current activities for women in the fisheries sector is reef
gleaning, which supplies many women with a considerable portion of their daily
household diet and nutritional input. Women's most prominent paid role is in
post-harvest processing and distribution.
● Highlighting and valuing the important roles that women play in fisheries in an
important step to women’s empowerment. Giving a formal status to their
contribution and work and providing them with access to key services and
resources is vital for sustainable fisheries management.

Sources:
CBD. Gender Perspectives on Biodiversity. Available from
https://www.cbd.int/gender/doc/fs-gender-perspectives-en.pdf
European Parliament. 2013. Women in Fisheries: A European Perspective. Available
from https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/cms/farnet/files/documents/Women-in-
fisheries-EN.pdf
FAO. Gender - FAO Programme: Fisheries. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-programme/gender-fisheries/en/
Global Gender and Environmental Outlook (GGEO), page 30
Harpera, S., Zellera, D., Hauzerb, M., Paulya, D. and Sumaila, U.R. 2013. Women and
Fisheries: Contributions to Food Security and Local Economy. In Marine Policy, Volume
39, Pages 56-63.
Women in Fisheries Network – Fiji. The Role and Engagement of Women in Fisheries in
Fiji. Available from https://womeninfisheriesfiji.org/the-role-and-engagement-of-women-
in-fisheries-in-fiji/
WWF. The Role of Women in the Fishing Industry. Available from
http://www.fishforward.eu/en/project/the-role-of-women-in-the-fishing-industry/
http://base.d-p-h.info/fr/fiches/premierdph/fiche-premierdph-1010.html

2. 10 Integrating a Gender Perspective in Biodiversity Policies and Projects –

Fisheries
Sources:
ADB and Australian Aid. 2013. Toolkit on Gender Equality Results and Indicators.
Available from https://www.oecd.org/derec/adb/tool-kit-gender-equality-results-
indicators.pdf
FAO. Gender - FAO Programme: Fisheries. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-programme/gender-fisheries/en/
FAO. Gender – Why Gender: Policy Recommendations. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-why/policy-recommendations/en/
IUCN. Maximizing Conservation in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Gender
Consideration. Available from http://www.prb.org/pdf/IUCNGenderFolleto.pdf

2.11 Gender Gap – Protected Areas

Click on Gender roles and division of labour related to protected areas
● Gender issues are often overlooked in wildlife conservation efforts as well as in
the management of protected areas. This is reflected in the corresponding
decision-making processes.
● Factors that influence sustainable wildlife management, such as human-wildlife
conflicts, illegal trade, poverty and livelihood security, have significant gender
dimensions.
● For instance, activities usually performed by women, such as collecting water
and firewood, expose them to the risk of being attacked by wild animals in
communities bordering protected areas.
Click on Benefits of empowerment
Recognizing women’s deep knowledge of natural resources and their potential as agents
of change for sustainable development can simultaneously increase the effectiveness of
conservation efforts, while also ensuring empowerment and gender equality.
In the Biological Reserve of Vizcaino in Baja California, Mexico, women have been
trained as look-outs for whales. This has provided them with skills in the marine
environment conservation as well as with a new source of income. These women have
also become models for younger generations of women and men.

Sources:
Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management Factsheet: Sustainable
Wildlife Management and Gender. Available from http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6574e.pdf
GEF website. Available from http://www.thegef.org/
IUCN. Protected Areas. Available from https://www.iucn.org/theme/protected-
areas/about
IUCN. Aguilar, L., Blanco, M. and Zúñiga, P. Protected Areas: Gender Makes the
Difference. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/gender_makes_the_difference_prot
ected_areas.pdf

2. 12 Integrating a Gender Perspective in Biodiversity Policies and Projects –

Protected Areas

Sources:
ADB and Australian Aid. 2013. Toolkit on Gender Equality Results and Indicators.
Available from https://www.oecd.org/derec/adb/tool-kit-gender-equality-results-
indicators.pdf
FAO. Gender – Why Gender: Policy Recommendations. Available from
http://www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-why/policy-recommendations/en/
IUCN. Maximizing Conservation in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Gender
Consideration. Available from http://www.prb.org/pdf/IUCNGenderFolleto.pdf
2.13 Key Message

3. Section 3
3.1 Gender and Biodiversity: International Framework and Actions

Learn more about how gender considerations have been integrated into international
commitments, national projects, policies and local initiatives to conserve biodiversity.
3.2 Key Message

3.3 Gender Mainstreaming - From international to local level

Click on the triangles to explore the different levels.

3.4 The International Framework

Click on The Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a key international instrument that
highlights the importance of biodiversity and the importance of implementing
conservation practices while keeping socio-economic development in mind. Decisions
adopted under the Convention recognize gender as an important lens to understand and
take action to address the complexities of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of
the components of biodiversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources.
Click on 2015-2020 Gender Plan of Action
The plan pursues four strategic objectives:
● To mainstream a gender perspective into the implementation of the Convention;
● To promote gender equality in achieving the objectives of the Convention and
related frameworks;
● To demonstrate the benefits of gender mainstreaming in measures towards the
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and the fair and equitable
sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources; and
● To increase the effectiveness of the work under the Convention.
Complementary reading:
● The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW) entered into force in 1981. It brings women into the focus of human
rights concerns, focusing on the meaning of equality and how it can be achieved.
It establishes an international bill of rights for women as well as an agenda for
countries to guarantee the enjoyment of such
rights.http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/cedaw.pdf
● A guide to the Convention Gender Plan of Action “2015-2020 Gender Plan of
 Action Pocket Guide: Summary and Examples” can be found at
https://www.cbd.int/gender/doc/CBD-GenderPlanofAction-EN-WEB.pdf
● For information on decisions and recommendations on gender under the
Convention please see the publication “Gender and Biodiversity Technical Guide”:
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/gender-and-biodiversity-
technical-guide-3.pdf

Legal framework: click to access the text of the Convention -

https://www.cbd.int/convention/text/

Sources:
CBD (UNEP/CBD/COP/DEC/XII/7). 2014. Decision Adopted by The Conference of The
Parties to The Convention on Biological Diversity. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/gender/action-plan/
IUCN. International Women’s Day: Environment and Gender Index data reveals women’s
rights make a difference. Available at http://genderandenvironment.org/2015/03/its-a-
fact-egi-index-data-reveals-womens-rights-make-a-difference/
OHCHR website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CEDAW.aspx

3.5 How are gender, indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ perspectives
addressed in the Convention?

Click on participation
“Recognizing the vital role that women play in the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity and affirming the need for the full participation of women at all levels
of policy-making and implementation for biological diversity conservation.” (CBD
Preamble)
Click on knowledge, innovation and practices
“Subject to its national legislation, respect, preserve and maintain knowledge,
innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional
lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and
promote their wider application with the approval and involvement of the holders of such
knowledge, innovations and practices and encourage the equitable sharing of the
benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge, innovations and practices.”
Source: CBD website: https://www.cbd.int/

3.6 CBD/The Nagoya Protocol

Click on the Articles:

Article 22.5.j: Emphasizes the need to enhance indigenous and local communities’
capacity, particularly women within those communities, in relation to access to genetic
resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.
Article 12.3: Requests Parties to support, as appropriate, the development by indigenous
and local communities, including women within these communities, of: (a) Community
protocols in relation to access to traditional knowledge associated with genetic
resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of
such knowledge; (b) Minimum requirements for mutually agreed terms to secure the fair
and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of traditional knowledge
associated with genetic resources; and (c) Model contractual clauses for benefit-sharing
arising from the utilization of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.
Legal framework: To access the protocol, click on the link below.:
https://www.cbd.int/abs/doc/protocol/nagoya-protocol-en.pdf

Sources:
CBD. 2011. Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable
Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological
Diversity. Text and Annex available at https://www.cbd.int/abs/doc/protocol/nagoya-
protocol-en.pdf
CBD. About the Nagoya Protocol. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/abs/about/default.shtml/
CBD. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/abs/

3.7 CBD/Cartagena Protocol

Complementary Reading: For more information about the linkages between gender and
biosafety, please access:
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/gender_and_biosafety.pdf

Sources:
CBD. 2000. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological
Diversity. Text and Annexes available athttps://www.cbd.int/doc/legal/cartagena-
protocol-en.pdf
CBD. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Available from https://bch.cbd.int/protocol
IUCN. Gender and Biosafety. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/union/sites/union/files/doc/gender_and_biosafety.pdf
Photo credit: Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash
3.8 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Click on Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020:

In 2010 Parties adopted a revised and updated Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, including a
set of 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, for 2011-2020. This plan requests Parties to
mainstream gender considerations where appropriate in the implementation of the plan
and its associated goals, the targets and indicators.
Click on the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Gender:
Target 14 includes a specific focus on women, stating that: “By 2020, ecosystems that
provide essential services, including services related to water, and contribute to health,
livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs
of women, indigenous and local communities, the poor and vulnerable".
Further information: For further information on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-
2020, including Aichi Biodiversity Targets please visit: https://www.cbd.int/sp/

Sources:
CBD. 2013. Quick guides to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Available from
https://www.cbd.int/doc/strategic-plan/targets/compilation-quick-guide-en.pdf
CBD. Introduction – The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets. Available from http://69.90.183.227/health/doc/workshops/wshb-
afr-01-presentations/cbd.pdf
CBD and UNEP. Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the Aichi Targets.
Available from https://www.cbd.int/doc/strategic-plan/2011-2020/Aichi-Targets-EN.pdf
3.9 Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 1: No Poverty: “End poverty in all its forms” everywhere

SDG 2: Zero Hunger: “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and
promote sustainable agriculture”
SDG 5: Gender equality: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”
SDG 14: Life below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources for sustainable development.
SDG 15: Life on Land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse
land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Sources:
CBD, FAO, World Bank, UNEP and UNDP. Biodiversity and the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development: Technical Note. Available from
https://www.cbd.int/development/doc/biodiversity-2030-agenda-technical-note-en.pdf
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6
Photo credit: Gaelle Marcel. Unsplash.
3.10 National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)

Click: The Convention requires Parties to prepare National Biodiversity Strategies and
Action Plans (NBSAPs) (or an equivalent instrument) as the principal instrument to
implement sustainable resource management at the national level and to integrate it into
the planning and activities of all sectors that can have an impact on biodiversity.
Why is it important to mainstream gender into NBSAPs? To ensure that the diverse
knowledge, needs and priorities of women and men are applied to reverse the loss and
unsustainable use of biodiversity in actions at national and local levels.
Facts & Figures:
46 per cent of NBSAPs received following the adoption of the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011-2020 included some reference to gender or women’s issues, with 34
per cent identifying gender perspectives as part of national targets or actions.
Complementary Reading
To find out more on how to integrate gender into NBSAPs, please access:
Integrating Gender Considerations in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans:
https://www.cbd.int/gender/doc/pilot-project-integ-gender-nbsaps.pdf
Gender and Biodiversity joint gains: myths or reality?
https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ec/ec-nbsap-v2-p01-es.pdf
Ecuador’s gender-responsive National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, supported
by UNDP with GEF financing, available (in Spanish) here:
https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ec/ec-nbsap-v2-p01-es.pdf –

Sources:
CBD. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). Available from
https://www.cbd.int/nbsap/
IUCN. International Women’s Day: Environment and Gender Index data reveals women’s
rights make a difference. Available from http://genderandenvironment.org/2015/03/its-
a-fact-egi-index-data-reveals-womens-rights-make-a-difference/
Photo: Jack Young. Unsplash. https://www.cbd.int/gender/doc/pilot-project-integ-
gender-nbsaps.pdf

3.11 Good Practices at National Level

Further information: In 2016, the IUCN Global Gender Office (GG)) and the Secretariat of
the CBD, with support from the Government of Japan, implemented a pilot project to
build the capacity of developing countries to integrate gender into their NBSAPs. This
process took place as part of the revision of such plans to align them to the Strategic
Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The project conducted three country initiatives in
Mexico, Uganda and Brazil.
3.12 NBSAP - Mexico

Further information: Mexico’s NBSAP (2016) includes women’s and gender

considerations within its main strategic goals.
Five of the six strategic goals advance women’s participation in projects, take women’s
traditional resource knowledge into consideration or promote a gender perspective in
biodiversity conservation and education.
Gender-related activities and perspectives are addressed across the NBSAP, including in
indicators and the monitoring and evaluation system.
Complementary Reading:
To access Mexico’s NBSAP, please visit: https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mx/mx-nbsap-
v2-es.pdf (available only in Spanish).

Sources:
CBD. Mexico – Main Details. Available from
https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=mx
Gobierno de la República. 2016. Estrategia Nacional sobre Biodiversidad de México y
plan de acción 2016 – 2030. Available from https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mx/mx-
nbsap-v2-es.pdf
IUCN, Modifications to the NBSAPs of Brazil, Mexico and Uganda after the intervention
through the JBF project (gender workshops and technical follow-up).
Photo credit: Armando Castillejos. Unsplash.
3.13 NBSAP - Brazil

Further information: Brazil’s NBSAP (2016 and 2018) pays particular attention to
supporting women’s participation in decision making processes, as well as women’s
inclusion in payment for ecosystem services.
The NBSAP further highlights gender mainstreaming as key criterion for monitoring
implementation, accompanied by the collection of sex-disaggregated data, to better
understand gender gaps and guide more gender-responsive actions.
Brazil’s national multi-stakeholder platform, which monitors and supports
implementation of the country’s biodiversity targets, established a gender thematic
group.

Sources:
CBD. Brazil - Country Profile. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=br#measures
CBD. Brazil – National Targets. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/countries/targets/?country=br
CBD. Latest NBSAPs. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/nbsap/about/latest/default.shtml#br
IUCN. 2017. Brazil paves the way for gender equity in forest and biodiversity
conservation. Available at https://www.iucn.org/news/forests/201703/brazil-paves-
way-gender-equity-forest-and-biodiversity-conservation
IUCN, Modifications to the NBSAPs of Brazil, Mexico and Uganda after the intervention
through the JBF project (gender workshops and technical follow-up).
Secretariat of Biodiversity and Forests, Ministry of The Environment. 2015. Fifth National
Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity: Brazil. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/br/br-nr-05-en.pdf
Secretariat of Biodiversity and Forests, Ministry of The Environment. National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Available at https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/br/br-
nbsap-v3-en.pdf
Photo Credit: Michos Tzovaras. Rio de Janeiro Brazil. UN Photos.

3.14 NBSAP - Uganda

Further information: Uganda’s NBSAP objectives (2016) aim enhance engagement of

local communities in gender-responsive biodiversity conservation, address gender
equality in the fisheries sector, and promote an environmental policy framework
supporting women’s access to and control over resources in the water and sanitation
sector.
The NBSAP also includes a series of activities with respective indicators and budgets
that are gender responsive, including undertaking gender analyses and developing a
gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation strategy, training for women, and support
to women’s businesses.
Complementary Reading: To access the NBSAP of Uganda, please access:
https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ug/ug-nbsap-v2-en.pdf

Sources:
CBD. Uganda – Main Details. Available at
https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=ug
IUCN, Modifications to the NBSAPs of Brazil, Mexico and Uganda after the intervention
through the JBF project (gender workshops and technical follow-up)
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), The Republic of Uganda. 2002.
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Photo credits: Hector Conesa. Shutterstock. Available at
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/uganda-august-14-women-acholi-ethnic-
60597334?src=AAJTn0R94iL1qkRVVU9MqQ-1-11

3.15 Good Practices at the Local/Project Level

Complementary reading: To find out more, please access: GEF’s Guidance to Advance
Gender Equality in GEF Projects and Programs, available at:
https://www.thegef.org/sites/default/files/council-meeting-
documents/EN_GEF.C.54.Inf_.05_Guidance_Gender.pdf
3.16 Case Study - Protected Areas - Guyana

Issue: In Guyana, a country where coastal areas can reach 1.04 metres below sea level,
90 per cent of the population lives along the coasts. These low-lying communities are
particularly vulnerable to sea level rise as well as extreme weather conditions. The
current infrastructure is not sufficient to protect the population from weather-related
threats, and women are disproportionately affected by the impacts of flooding and
coastal erosion.
Action: The project addressed the threats to coastal communities by involving
community members in the cultivation of mangroves. The purpose was to create a
buffer against storm events, to reduce the force of the waves and decrease erosion.
Women were targeted as project beneficiaries. Their leadership was prioritized and they
were provided with economic resources as well as training for mangrove seedling
cultivation.
Impact: Women accounted for 80 per cent of participating community members. Women
successfully organized village mangrove action committees and were empowered in roles
as environmental leaders. Over 460,000 mangrove seedlings were planted, restoring over
10 km of coastal mangrove forests, and the resilience and security of coastal
communities was increased.

Sources:
IUCN and GGCA. 2015. Roots for the Future: The Landscape and Way Forward on
Gender and Climate Change. Available from
https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2015-039.pdf
Photo Credit: Restoring Guyana’s Mangrove Ecosystem website. Available from
www.mangrovesgy.org
3.17 Case Study - Fisheries - The Gambia

Issue: Oyster collection in The Gambia is mostly carried out by female harvesters. This
is their sole source of income, and a seasonal endeavour from March to June. It is a
physically tedious and risky occupation as women do not know how to swim and the
harvesting takes place by the roots of mangrove forests, close to water. They use
rudimentary tools such as machetes and frequently overharvest, which damages the
mangroves.
Action: In order to tackle this issue, the TRY Women’s Association, supported by the GEF
Small Grants Programme at UNDP, works with around 500 female harvesters, under an
organized structure that includes 15 villages in the greater Banjul area. By grouping in
cooperatives, members gain training and exchange knowledge on sustainable practices.
They can also sell their products under a shared brand with a specific set of standards.
Impact: This collaboration has produced multiple environmental, social and economic
outcomes. The state of the mangrove forests has improved due to calculated harvesting
and training, sustaining the health of the ecosystem. The extended length of the closed
season has allowed oysters to increase in size, leading to a 30 per cent higher market
price. Also, the communities have diversified their income through training and
education on various subjects such as English and financial skills.
Complementary reading: For further information on this project, please access:
https://www.thegef.org/news/oyster-openings

Sources:
UNDP. 2017. Making Waves: Community Solutions, Sustainable Oceans, page 34.
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/poverty-reduction/equator-
initiative/making-waves--community-solutions--sustainable-oceans.html
Photo credits: planetativo.com http://planetativo.com/2010/wp-
content/uploads/2012/03/TRY_Oyster_.jpg
3.18 Case Study - Agriculture - Cameroon

Issue: In the Northwest Province of Cameroon, unsustainable agricultural land use

practices are still being used. Such practices include traditional slash and burn, which
increases the destruction of natural resources, and leads to increased poverty as well as
heightened gender inequality.
Action: The Ntankah Village Women Common Initiative Group, an organization that
focuses on gender empowerment, livelihood improvement and HIV/AIDS care,
implemented the ‘Grassroots Women Environmental Protection and Poverty Alleviation
Project’, with support from the GEF Small Grants Programme and other donors. The
project included the delivery of multiple workshops on natural resource management
and appropriate farming techniques, and established an environmental documentation
centre for women's continuous education.
Impact: The project has led to the empowerment and training of 190 women in
environment-related issues, which has also helped them to increase their income.
Through sustainable agricultural practices, such as the reduced use of synthetic
fertilizers, soil erosion has decreased while crop yield has increased. Women have been
further empowered through active group participation and the use of democratic
practices, and have gained a better understanding of their economic contribution to the
household and community.
Complementary reading: For further information on this project, please access:
http://sgp.undp.org/index.php?option=com_docman&view=document&layout=default&a
lias=474-ntankah-women-in-environmental-protection-and-poverty-
alleviation&category_slug=case-studies&Itemid=256#.WseUTIjwY2w

Source:
The GEF Small Grants Programme. 2011.Women in Environmental Protection and
Poverty Alleviation Ntankah Village Women Common Initiative Group, Cameroon
Photo credit: globalhand.org
https://www.globalhand.org/system/images/838360af6a866f1ea47e81ea3fd4c93207b
f383a/original/P1010148.JPG?1383062014

3.19 Key Message

Source:
Leisher, C., Temsah, G., Booker, F., Day, M., Samberg, L., Prosnitz, D., Agarwal, B.,
Matthews, E., Roe, D., Russell, D., Sunderland, T. and Wilkie, D. 2016. Does the gender
composition of forest and fishery management groups affect resource governance and
conservation outcomes? A systematic map. In Environmental Evidence: The official
journal of the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence 5:6. Available from
https://environmentalevidencejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13750-016-
0057-8
3.20 And You?

3.21 Module Summary