Drylands pose different challenges for rural men and women because of the gender-based roles, relations and responsibilities, uneven access and control of resources, and different opportunities and constraints. Agricultural, environmental and related policies and programmes often fail to recognise women's particular needs and crucial contribution in the use and management of dryland resources. Environmental change frequently has a differentiated impact on men and women and leads to changes in gender roles, with women assuming more work and responsibility. When land becomes scarce, women's situation deteriorates, together with household's food security.
By incorporating a gender perspective in policy, projects and programmes, innovative ways of combating dryland degradation and food insecurity can be discovered, notably through a better understanding of men's and women's roles, and of their respective concerns and needs. The result is a more sustainable, relevant and equitable development based on women's and men's full and equal participation, on their respective local knowledge, and on ecological and socio-cultural factors. A gender-sensitive dryland development represents a great opportunity for rural men and women to join their strengths to preserve food security and the natural resource base in ways that are sustainable.
FAO/I. Balderi
FAO/R. Faidutti
THE GENDER DIMENSION IN COMBATING DRYLAND DEGRADATION
