Gender issues in environmental sustainability and poverty reduction in the community: social and community issues.

TLDR: In this article, the authors explored some Pacific island experiences and learned that the consideration and inclusion of gender issues in environmental management and poverty reduction activities is crucial if development programs are to be relevant and sustainable.

Abstract: One of the most important lessons we have learned is that the consideration and inclusion of gender issues in environmental management and poverty reduction activities is crucial if development programs are to be relevant and sustainable. This paper explores some Pacific island experiences. Gender issues vary between Pacific island countries according to geographic locations level of economic development social and cultural norms and values population migration and emigration religion media legal institutions level of education political climate and environments. Different land ownership patterns employment opportunities economic policies and economic resources (agricultural forest and fisheries resources) influence the roles of men and women in Pacific island countries. Short-term export of male and female labour migration of Pacific islanders overseas and rural to urban migration have all had an impact on the roles of men and women. Religious beliefs and the images of men and women projected by the media can either reinforce or weaken gender biases and gender stereotyping in Pacific island countries. Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and constitutional and legal provisions have affected men in different ways across the Pacific. The level and quality of education for boys and girls creates gender differences as do the gender stereotypes in the curriculum. Commitment of Pacific island countries to the advancement of women including the provision of resources to promote affirmative action and the provision of mechanisms to facilitate active and full participation of women in the development process are major factors influencing gender relations. (excerpt)