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News / 13 March 2012

NEW MOVIES: Gender and management of sustainable resources: Bangladesh, Togo and Colombia

Both ENDS has developed a method to integrate gender issues into managing natural resources like land and water. Partner organisations AMICHOCÓ in Colombia, ANCE in Togo and BARCIK in Bangladesh have been using this method in their areas since 2010. Although women in these and many other areas are doing the same work as men, equal control of the production and management of resources doesn't yet exist. The approach Both ENDS uses is aimed towards expanding awareness of gender relations and the importance of equality by defining the problem and applying practical exercises.

 

Since 2010 clear changes have been made. The government and project leaders have started thinking about ways to involve women in policy making. Both ENDS has a coordinating part in the three projects and is of the opinion that this method is also applicable in other areas with similar gender issues.

 

Because of strong traditional values, women of the Bonjibi community in the Sundarbans in Bangladesh aren't allowed to do the same work as men; this would allegedly be too dangerous for them and also distract attention from their responsibilities within the household. Gender specialist Rekha Saha shows how thinking about gender has changed with the help of the Both ENDS and BARCIK gender approach.

 

The women of Chocó, Colombia are doing the same work in the mines as the men. But besides work, they also have obligations in the household. Despite their equal role in the mining industry, women don't have the same rights as men. Through the Both ENDS and AMICHOCÓ approach, women are involved in important decision-making and their workload is decreasing.

 

In Togo, it's the women who use natural water resources the most, but meanwhile they don't have any say in managing the resources. Ebeh Kodjo, director of ANCE, holds the opinion that women can contribute to creating sustainable solutions for the water crisis in Togo. By showing all stakeholders that development demands communal efforts, Both ENDS and ANCE are creating more equality.

 

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