RESUMO

PIP: Drawing on the experience of a state-sponsored rural development project, referred to as the Eagle River project, this article considers feminism and gender issues in rural Brazil, where agriculture is one of the livelihood strategies of poor men and women. Section 1 offers an overview of the project and the project area. Section 2 describes the lives of women in the Eagle River region where traditional values on division of labor, domestic roles of women, and gender hierarchies are still predominant. Section 3 highlights the objective of the project and activities designed to achieve its aim. Three main areas of work are being focused: community development, production development, and provision of rural credit. The project structure and decision-making powers are discussed in section 4. Sections 5 and 6 describe experiences in the project during its first 18 months and the challenges of incorporating gender into the project. Section 7 focuses on the development of the gender program. Section 8 outlines lessons learned out of the project outcome and the final section contains concluding messages.^ieng

Assuntos

Feminismo , Programas Governamentais , Relações Interpessoais , Pesquisa , População Rural , Fatores Sexuais , Planejamento Social , Mulheres , América , Brasil , Demografia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , América Latina , Organização e Administração , População , Características da População , América do Sul

RESUMO

PIP: Since 1990, poor women in Peru have suffered from the impact of structural adjustment policies, which have lead to low wages, poor working conditions, and a general deterioration in the status of women workers. To address these problems, the Asociacion Aurora Vivar began its Alternative Technical Training Program for Women in July 1992, with the aim of increasing the entrepreneurial skills of women. The project aimed to support women who have problems at work, those who are unemployed and those with low income. Moreover, the project sought to increase women's participation in nontraditional areas of work. Training focused on increasing women's technical skills, including the repair of home appliances, and on personal development, such as leadership skills, confidence building, and business management. The project attracted a diverse group of women who took part in the training for a variety of reasons. The women's new capacities and skills create a positive image for them within the household. Aurora Vivar acknowledges the importance of vocational education to increase women's opportunities to earn a living. The association is proposing reforms in the educational system to introduce courses on business management, credit, and other technical skills as part of the formal education system.^ieng

Assuntos

Educação , Emprego , Ensino , Mulheres , América , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Mão de Obra em Saúde , América Latina , Peru , Política , Opinião Pública , América do Sul

RESUMO

PIP: Founded in 1992, is an independent grassroots organization whose goal is to assist community development, health, education, clean water and income generation. The Q'eqchi' Maya Indians constitute the fourth largest indigenous group located on the banks of Rio Dulce, in the eastern rainforest of Guatemala. Project Ak'Tenamit helped the Q'eqchi' people revive their ancient art of paper making as a viable and self-sustainable source of income. As the material used by the ancient Maya--cork husk and banana stalks--are still abundant, it was decided that this art could be successfully re-introduced. With papermaking, the Q'eqchi women were able to earn money from their own production without even compromising their respective households. Ak'Tenamit was responsible for the distribution of paper making products in stores throughout Guatemala. Although there are still many obstacles confronting these women, the paper making cooperative provides employment opportunities and is indeed a great help to them. They produce a total of 15 different products including bowls, cards, and bookmarks.^ieng

Assuntos

Emprego , Etnicidade , Renda , Mudança Social , Mulheres , América , América Central , Demografia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Guatemala , América Latina , América do Norte , População , Características da População

RESUMO

PIP: The introduction to this article on the participatory learning approach to literacy and social change known as REFLECT locates the origins of the approach in the philosophy of Paulo Freire and notes that REFLECT was developed by ACTIONAID in pilot projects in Uganda, Bangladesh, and El Salvador and is now used in 25 countries by 90 groups. REFLECT considers gender equity integral to social change, analyzes the causes of inequalities, creates a process for examining social stratification, addresses conflict as a reality, is an evolving process that embraces innovation, recognizes the importance of individual transformation, and seeks an equitable practice of power at all levels in the process. The article describes how REFLECT sessions are conducted and how they result in women's increased mobility, increased participation in family and community, and changes in the gender division of labor. Examples show how REFLECT sensitizes men as well as women to gender issues, especially if the implementing agency is gender-aware. The article then contrasts the "primer method" of literacy training promoted by the "Women in Development" model to REFLECT's "Gender and Development" (GAD) approach that links literacy to empowerment, raises community consciousness of women's subordination, and creates local-global links. The article concludes by discussing ways to strengthen the GAD/feminist approach in REFLECT, given the fact that it is possible to avoid gender issues in most discussions.^ieng

Assuntos

Países em Desenvolvimento , Educação , Direitos Humanos , Relações Interpessoais , Mudança Social , Ensino , Mulheres , África , África Subsaariana , África Oriental , América , Ásia , Bangladesh , América Central , Economia , El Salvador , América Latina , América do Norte , Pesquisa , Uganda

RESUMO

PIP: The author discusses some recommendations that arose out of field research in northern Honduras. The research included policy recommendations to the International Development Research Center Project for Participatory Research in Central America (IPCA) on gender issues. The IPCA aims to build the research capacity of small hillside farmers by involving them in the design and evaluation of appropriate agricultural technologies. The author states that women are not an "underused asset" as Ostergard (1992) contends. Women are heavily burdened workers who provide in their reproductive roles essential services for maintaining agricultural production and for sustaining the family for the next agricultural cycle and the next generations. Women's housework is hard and time-consuming. There is a need for time- and energy-saving technology for domestic chores if living conditions are to be improved. IPCA programs must develop flexible programs to fit women's needs and to include women fully in the participatory process. Useful technologies could be community mills for grinding corn and improved stoves. Cooking and grinding corn are both labor-intensive tasks. In another community outside the study area, women travel to a community mill under private ownership for corn grinding that costs about 30 cents per day. The women reported that the cost is worth the time and energy saved. The mill also serves as a community gathering place. Women could potentially pool resources and operate a cooperative mill service. Lorena stoves are popular due to reduced fuel consumption, time saved in collecting wood, savings in cooking time, and fewer respiratory problems. Decisions would need to be made about venting smoke outside or continuing to use the smoke to dry grains in lofts overhead. Men need to be made aware of women's needs and women's opportunities to engage in income generation activities owing to the time saved.^ieng

Assuntos

Diretrizes para o Planejamento em Saúde , Zeladoria , Mudança Social , Tecnologia , Mulheres , América , América Central , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Honduras , América Latina , América do Norte

RESUMO

PIP: The National Forum of Women and Population Policies was held in Puebla, Mexico, in January 1998 to assess achievements and lags in carrying out the Program of Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo. The forum proposed diagnosing the current situation in order to compare existing realities with proposals contained in Mexico¿s National Population Program, the National Reproductive Health and Family Planning Program, and the Mexican program of the UN Population Fund. The lack of disaggregated information and of research, except for a handful of states with particularly grave demographic and reproductive health problems, were barriers to evaluation. It also appeared indispensable to analyze the situations of the nongovernmental organizations involved, and to define priorities among remaining tasks. Two achievements of the forum in Puebla were to reconstitute a coordinating body for follow-up of the Program of Action with a specific work plan, and to reinforce links and communication with state population councils and health institutions in order to facilitate implementation of the Program of Action. Among the 53 organizations represented at the Puebla Forum, 66% were involved in actions to fight poverty and 90% in actions to increase autonomy of women. 74% had ties to government agencies. The themes receiving most attention were sexuality and family planning, pregnancy and delivery, and HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.^ieng

Assuntos

Congressos como Assunto , Planejamento em Saúde , Controle da População , Política Pública , Mudança Social , Mulheres , América , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Agências Internacionais , América Latina , México , América do Norte , Organização e Administração , Organizações , Nações Unidas

RESUMO

PIP: This article summarizes experiences of a Vietnamese delegation at a solidarity meeting of world women during April 13-16, 1998, in Cuba. The President of the Viet Nam Women's Union headed the delegation. The advisor was the vice-chairperson of the Vietnamese National Assembly. The delegation participated in 6 forums: women and sustainable economic development; women, health, education, and social security; women, communication and the mass media; women in politics and decision-making; women, violence and discrimination; and national independence, sovereignty, peace, and women. The delegation also participated in sessions on women's issues; implementation issues; women parliamentarians; and migrant and displaced women. The delegation met with delegates from other countries and participated in a world meeting and an Asian-Pacific meeting to support Cuban women. The entire delegation presented a stage show of songs, which was well received by the 3000 participants. The delegation met with Cuban delegates to discuss the formation of women's groups and to build better relations between the women of both countries. The delegation visited a training center of women cadres and the center for gender education. Participants adopted the Havana Declaration, which states the intention of world women to eradicate poverty and war and to promote peace, progress, and happiness in all countries. The Havana Declaration condemned the US embargo against Cuba. Fidel Castro spoke and expressed gratitude for the strong support from world women, especially Vietnamese women.^ieng

Assuntos

Congressos como Assunto , Relações Interpessoais , Pesquisa , Direitos da Mulher , Mulheres , América , Ásia , Sudeste Asiático , Região do Caribe , Cuba , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , América Latina , América do Norte , Política , Opinião Pública , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Vietnã

RESUMO

PIP: This article presents the speech of the President of the Viet Nam Women's Union, given on April 15, 1998, at a world women's solidarity meeting held in Cuba. The President gave the Cuban Women's Federation US$50,000 for women's and children's programs. The President indicated that the Vietnamese people wanted to help alleviate the hardships of the Cuban people and show solidarity with Cuba and Comrade Fidel Castro. The money was collected in a nationwide campaign in an effort to express Viet Nam's sympathy for Cubans who face difficult living conditions due to the US embargo. The President thanked the Cuban people for standing up to a superpower for all the world to see and for being confident and optimistic despite hardships. The Vietnamese are ready to defend revolutionary achievements, independence, and socialism. The Vietnamese will be celebrating the 35th year of the founding of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia. The Vietnamese delegation offered warm greetings to the Cuban Party and State and the Cuban women and children under the leadership of Comrade Fidel Castro.^ieng

Assuntos

Congressos como Assunto , Cooperação Internacional , Pesquisa , Mulheres , América , Ásia , Sudeste Asiático , Região do Caribe , Cuba , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Administração Financeira , América Latina , América do Norte , Política , Opinião Pública , Vietnã

RESUMO

PIP: Magda Mateus Cardenas, trained as an anthropologist, is currently director of Centro Amauta, a feminist organization in Peru that addresses issues of gender, class, and culture. In this interview, Mateus Cardenas describes her long involvement with development organizations and grass-roots campaigns to improve women's status. She notes that, although many organizations have adopted a gender perspective, few comprehend its highly political, transformational aspects. Women's rights tend to be viewed by development agencies as just one more factor to be incorporated into development projects rather than as a perspective that changes views of development itself. A genuine gender perspective entails changes in the organizational, social, and political aspects of the themes of autonomy and empowerment, with adaptations of content and methods to local conditions. A precondition to women's emancipation is access to and control of financial and economic resources. This, in turn, requires training in technical skills and access to the marketplace on more competitive terms.^ieng

Assuntos

Organizações , Mudança Social , Direitos da Mulher , Mulheres , América , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , América Latina , Peru , Pesquisa , Fatores Socioeconômicos , América do Sul

RESUMO

PIP: This article introduces an issue of INSTRAW News that analyzes training and capacity-building activities designed to give women special support in order to achieve equitable and sustainable development. The quality of development is dependent upon the available training processes and education available to society, and nearly all countries have experienced an unprecedented growth in education during the past 50 years. During this period, traditional values and techniques have also eroded, however, creating a regressive process, especially among rural populations in developing countries. While much has been accomplished to advance the status of women through creation of international instruments that promote equity, the problems that remain are of very great magnitude and are exacerbated by the new demands of globalization.^ieng

Assuntos

Países em Desenvolvimento , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Mão de Obra em Saúde , Ensino , Direitos da Mulher , Mulheres , Economia , Educação , Fatores Socioeconômicos

RESUMO

PIP: Research into ways to plan and implement development projects that acknowledge and respond to their differential impact on men and women has increased, but promising approaches to enhancing women's quality of life have been obscured 1) the increasing gap between scholars and practitioners and 2) a view of women that excludes considerations of family and community. While scholars emphasize the differences in gender roles, practitioners seek similarities and parallels. The situation is also complicated by the rapidity of economic change and its differential impact on women. The women's studies scholars hired as consultants by development agencies are hampered by ethnocentric biases because most of their work pertains to the US, and there are only a few courses available in the US on the topic of "Women in Development." The Ford Foundation is trying to mitigate this situation by funding a project to integrate a consideration of Women in Development and gender into international studies curricula. A resulting reexamination of the theoretical constructs involved has led to recognition of the problems connected with incorrect use of the term "gender." This incorrect use arises from translation difficulties and from a failure to include issues involving males and females. Scholarship that focuses on individual women and ignores the role of women in families and communities is rooted in the extreme individualization of Western culture and is inappropriate for analysis of relationships in developing countries.^ieng

Assuntos

Economia , Educação , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Relações Interpessoais , Mudança Social , Planejamento Social , Mulheres

RESUMO

PIP: This document is a message from the director of INSTRAW introducing a dialogue with readers of INSTRAW News on the various concepts involved in gender analysis and development planning. For this purpose, the term "gender" is defined as a reference to the unequal power relations that result when men and women are assigned structurally different positions in a patriarchy. While women can sometimes negotiate participation in the male realm, the reverse is almost always considered inappropriate. A comparison of the term "gender" with the term "class" reveals parallels between the two because class relations are institutionalized by man's struggle to sustain and control the process of production, and gender relations are institutionalized by man's efforts to sustain and control "socially acceptable lines of reproduction." Efforts to change class relations, however, are not dependent upon challenges to the patriarchy, but efforts to restructure society always involve negotiations about the place relegated to women. Thus, this place is central to politics, and an "enhanced notion" of women always accompanies the subordination of women. It is inappropriate to use the concept "woman" as a synonym for the concept "gender" because 1) gender is a more general level of abstraction that encompasses "women," 2) this substitution can neutralize the concept of gender and deprive it of its political content, and 3) this can obscure women before they gain full public and political visibility. Instead, a gender perspective should be applied to "women in development."^ieng

Assuntos

Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Características da Família , Relações Interpessoais , Direitos da Mulher , Mulheres , Economia , Fatores Socioeconômicos

RESUMO

PIP: The training package developed by the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women in 1989 focuses on women and energy. The Institute conducts training activities using collected, analyzed and disseminated information and documentation, as well as identification of critical research and training activities and promotion of integrated issues on women and energy policies, programs and projects. Previous training experiences identified the inefficient quality of training offered to community members, technical staff and technical agencies, with more emphasis on the technical skills instead on the managerial, socio-organizational and environmental aspects. The creation of a multimedia modular training material provides an association between the issues of women, New and Renewable Sources of Energy (NRSE) and environmental aspects necessary for the strengthening of national institutions, promotion of socioeconomical and technically feasible renewable technologies, and awareness building, information and communication enhancement. The package covers 1) overview of the UN activities on NRSE; 2) Women's Position in the Energy Sector; 3) NRSE Project and Program design and implementation; 4) relevant NRSE characteristics and technology systems; 5) education and training activities in NRSE projects. This training package is designed to contribute a new approach in the organization and management of NRSE through integration of women's needs and increase awareness and capabilities of planners, officials and experts. In addition, several training seminars were conducted during 1989-91, which focused on the relationship between women and renewable energy sources through the application of participatory and self-reliant techniques.^ieng

Assuntos

Fontes Geradoras de Energia , Organizações , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Pesquisa , Ensino , Mulheres , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Economia , Educação , Meio Ambiente , Organização e Administração

RESUMO

PIP: This article focuses on deforestation and women's participation in environmental development. Deforestation substantially contributes to accelerated changes in global climates and robs the world of irreplaceable biodiversity. Approximately 100 million hectares of forests have been lost throughout the world since 1950, with the world losing up to 20.4 million hectares of tropical forests annually. Moreover, women's participation in environmental development is currently impeded by many factors such as problems of land tenure and ownership. In order to have a balance between greater productivity and environmental protection, policymakers should ensure that agricultural and forestry extension services are designed incorporating a balanced gender perspective, including women's full participation in decision-making fora, and building upon their knowledge of community concerns. This article further cited examples of women's participation in several countries and identified eight steps to incorporate women in project design.^ieng

Assuntos

Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Relações Interpessoais , Pesquisa , Árvores , Mulheres , Economia , Meio Ambiente

RESUMO

PIP: The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) was involved in research analysis and training activities that address women's issues on water supply, sanitation and waste management, development of new and renewable sources of energy, and natural resources since 1982. The four main thrusts of the INSTRAW program include: 1) the economic and political empowerment of the women; 2) women, media and communications; 3) women, environment and sustainable development; and 4) statistics and indicators on gender issues. These areas are approached in an integrated and holistic manner, which is crosscutting and cross disciplinary with relevant chapters Agenda 21. In addition, poverty, population growth, health, structural adjustment policies, education and training, water, energy, agriculture and forestry are addressed within the women's roles and activities context. This article presents an overview of the succeeding chapters, which focus on the programs developed and implemented to promote the well being of the women worldwide.^ieng

Assuntos

Organizações , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Pesquisa , Mulheres , Economia , Organização e Administração , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Direitos da Mulher

RESUMO

PIP: Food insecurity is most severe in the African continent, with 200 million of the 800 million people suffering from food insecurity found in sub-Saharan Africa. The main causes of food insecurity in Africa are natural disasters and conflict. Since African women are often the main food producers, income earners and guardians of family health and nutrition at the rural level, they play a key role in dealing with the continent's food insecurity problem. During the Women's Conference in Kenya in 1985, women were encouraged to play a central role in the development and production of food and agriculture, while governments were asked to provide women with access to land, child care facilities, and education. If given the right tools and support from the government and community, women could become vital players in eliminating world hunger.^ieng

Assuntos

Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Abastecimento de Alimentos , Direitos da Mulher , Mulheres , África , Comportamento , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Meio Ambiente , Comportamento Social , Fatores Socioeconômicos

RESUMO

PIP: Agenda 21 acknowledges women's role in natural resources management at the local level and emphasizes the need for more women in senior positions to contribute positively to the implementation of environmental policy. This article assesses Agenda 21's approach to gender equality and its achievements. A few explicit references to women and water resource management (WRM) without consideration on the gender implications of the WRM policies and strategies were noted. The macro-oriented, technology-focused and supply-oriented approach of Agenda 21 on WRM hinders the inclusion of a gender perspective. There are two levels of implications of gender-blind intervention in relation to WRM: the issue of social justice and rights, and the negative impact of the neglect of gender inequality on overall planning and success of interventions. The inclusion of a gender perspective at policy and planning levels to facilitate the resolution of inconsistencies, as well as the importance of water sources and patterns of use knowledge for adequate policy development and planning was suggested. It is important that the WRM principle application utilize a sociocultural and gender perspective at both community and household levels before decisions are made on WRM interventions.^ieng

Assuntos

Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Meio Ambiente , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Relações Interpessoais , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Abastecimento de Água , Mulheres , Economia , Organização e Administração , Política Pública , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Direitos da Mulher

RESUMO

PIP: The Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) held a regional workshop in Thailand in 1992 to demonstrate how women's involvement at all levels of environmentally sound and sustainable water supply and sanitation programs and projects could be made more effective, easier, and productive. Using the same modules, with the support of other organizations such as the Department of Development Support and Management Services, ESCAP conducted four more workshops in the Philippines, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), Vietnam, and Thailand in 1995. In the Philippines, the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women expressed its intention to adapt the modules for the country. In the Lao PDR, three project ideas were proposed which would assist the Lao Women Union in gaining knowledge on the planning, implementation, operation, and management of water supply and sanitation projects at the national, regional and project levels. In Vietnam, three main directions for action were identified for the promotion of close and active cooperation between the Rural Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Centres and the system of the Women Union of Vietnam. In Thailand, the National Committee on Health and Environment of the National Commission on Women's Affairs expressed its willingness to seek budgetary allocation for the promotion of women's role in water supply and sanitation.^ieng

Assuntos

Educação , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Pesquisa , Saneamento , Nações Unidas , Abastecimento de Água , Direitos da Mulher , Mulheres , Ásia , Sudeste Asiático , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Países em Desenvolvimento , Economia , Meio Ambiente , Saúde , Agências Internacionais , Laos , Organização e Administração , Organizações , Filipinas , Saúde Pública , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Tailândia , Vietnã

RESUMO

PIP: The Women, Environmental Management and Sustainable Development training package is a major part of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women¿s programs on women and sustainable development. This training package highlights an integrated approach in the organization and management of environmental policies and programs integrating the needs of women and their participation in planning, management, implementation and evaluation of environmental programs and projects. With 400 pages of text, 170 transparencies, trainer's guide, bibliography, and audiovisual support material, this package provides an overall presentation of existing problems, solutions, and policies. The training package is designed for 1) senior officials of Ministries of Environment, Natural Resources, Planning, Women's Affairs, Education, and Health; 2) development planners and provincial or local authorities in charge of environmental programs and projects; 3) engineers in charge of designing technologies for environmental projects; 4) university professors, trainers and managers of national training institutes and educational institutions, training staff on women, environmental management and sustainable development; and 5) representatives of nongovernmental organizations involved in environmental projects. The five modular units of the training package include: Introduction--Agenda 21; Module 1--Women and Environmental Health; Module 2--Women as Agents of Change in the Developmental Sector; Module 3--Women as Managers of the Environment; Module 4--Women, Environmental Indicators and Capacity Building Programs. The training package has undergone evaluation for content accuracy comprehensiveness, sequence and relationship of ideas within context, technical quality and media compatibility.^ieng

Assuntos

Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Educação , Meio Ambiente , Organizações , Pesquisa , Planejamento Social , Mulheres , Economia , Política Pública

RESUMO

PIP: The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) has worked on women, water supply and sanitation since 1986. The program aims to establish the relationship between women, water supply and sanitation and the promotion of the needs of women and their participation in Water Supply and Sanitation projects. Using a multimedia and modular approach, the training package on Women, Water Supply and Sanitation aims to provide an overview for the different government agencies, engineers, trainers and managers involved in water supply and sanitation projects. The six modules contained in this package include: 1) The International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade and beyond; 2) The Participation of Women in planning, Choice of Technology and Implementation of Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Projects; 3) Role of Women in Hygiene Education and Training Activities for Water Supply and Sanitation Projects; 4) Involvement of Women in Management of Water resources, Water Supply and Waste Disposal; 5) Women and Waste Management; and 6) Evaluation and Monitoring of Water Supply and Sanitation Programs, Projects and the Role of Women. In addition, each module comprises five components including objective description, detailed bibliography, feedback tools for each modular unit, lesson plan and guides for trainers and users, and audiovisual aids. In the face of water scarcity, INSTRAW highlights the importance of women¿s participation in the sustainable use of water supply.^ieng

Assuntos

Organizações , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Pesquisa , Saneamento , Ensino , Abastecimento de Água , Mulheres , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Economia , Educação , Meio Ambiente , Saúde , Organização e Administração , Saúde Pública