The Role of Gender in Population, Health, and Environment Programs

Featured Speakers: Karen Hardee, John Snow, Inc. and Elin Torell, University of Rhode Island’s Costal Resources Center

Moderator: Geoffrey Dabelko, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Karen Hardee’s presentation focused on three main reproductive health and gender topics. She discussed the operational mechanisms of gender integration, the outcomes attributable to this integration and a policy initiative she has worked with to promote male participation in these issues. Hardee pointed out that addressing gender norms and inequalities in decision-making power is important when working to transform gender relations. It is also important to note that evaluating and monitoring these transformations is difficult. This is because there are few clear indicators that measure the success of these social changes, as well as the fact that the true impact of an intervention may take many years to “tease out.” Despite these difficulties, Hardee explained that interventions involving men tend to be more successful then those that do not, citing examples in Guatemala and Uganda. Hardee concluded her presentation stating that there needs to be stronger integration of gender in development programs and more rigorous evaluation of these programs.

Elin Torell described three case studies from her work with integrating gender into environmental programs. These case studies included a half pearl farming program, seaweed farming imitative, and collaborative fisheries management planning program. She argued that focusing gender innovations in areas where women already work increases the likelihood of their success.

For more information on this event or to view the video webcast go to: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1413&fuseaction=topics.event_summary&event_id=239769

Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Date: June 19, 2007

Time: 12noon-2pm

Intern Attending: Meredith Blair