What we doResults & Learning - GENDER
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Gender equality is an important dimension in implementing environment and sustainable development projects. The UNDP Gender Equality Strategy provides a framework for mainstreaming gender into environment and energy projects. As a GEF implementing agency, projects implemented with financing from the GEF also apply the GEF Policy on Gender Mainstreaming.
Within UNDP-GEF, gender is mainstreamed throughout the project cycle. In order to be approved for GEF funding, projects must complete the GEF Project Identification Form (PIF) which asks for project justification in terms of socioeconomic benefits, including consideration of gender dimensions, and how these will support the achievement of global environment benefits. During project implementation, gender performance indicators and assessments are incorporated into annual performance reviews and mid-term reviews. At the end of the project lifecycle, projects completing a terminal evaluation are assessed on whether gender issues have been taken into account during project design and implementation.
Projects in Action
In Namibia, a project promoting local and national capacity to manage land degradation has supported 1000 communities through an innovative grant mechanism focusing on income generating activities; about one third of recipients are women and their household income level has increased by 50%.
In Lebanon, a project working to promote biodiversity management in the medicinal and aromatic plant production sector is actively engaging women at four pilot sites to take stronger roles in the value chain including collection, primary processing and marketing of plants; 70% of the project’s direct beneficiaries are women.
In Botswana, a project working to reduce CO2 emissions by promoting renewable energy in rural areas has worked to mainstream gender in policy and management framework; a Gender Action Plan was developed through an agreement with International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy (ENERGIA); a gender working group was formed at the Botswana Power Company (BPC) to create awareness on issues around gender and energy; and, gender considerations were incorporated into the project’s impact assessment report and monitoring framework.
In Tajikistan, a project is working to protect the biodiversity of the Gissar mountain range and improve the livelihoods of people in the local community. The project has targeted women as stakeholders, particularly women who head households and female entrepreneurs, for activities including forest nursery management training and to serve as community-based tourism focal points. Local women were actively involved in planning a draft management plan for the area and 89 women were beneficiaries of micro-loans for forest crops and seeds.