Wealth, Poverty and Sustainable Development

An analysis of the underlying causes of environment destruction debunks the idea that the poor are the principal cause of environmental degradation in present-day societies. The paper also identifies some of the major areas of economic theory and institutional biases in market economies that generate obstacles to the 'proper' functioning of markets. As a result, even the more advanced prescriptions of modern environmental economics are incapable of explaining the deepening of social and economic polarization and the worsening of the environmental conditions in which poor people must exist. The paper ends with a proposal for overcoming this growing crisis through local participation and action.political ecology; sustainability; polarization; heterodox economics; development alternatives

Recognizing the influence of social determinants on HIV risk behaviors and the need for structural interventions to prevent HIV in women

The design and implementation of structural interventions may provide for simultaneous and longitudinal responses to prevention needs in multiple contexts as defined by social determinants, thus varied opportunities exist to respond to the HIV prevention needs of women. According to the CDC, in 2010, the rate of new HIV infections among black women was 20 times that of white women, and the rate among Hispanic/Latino women was 4 times the rate of white women. Additionally, 86% of HIV infections in women were attributed to heterosexual contact and 14% to injection drug use (CDC, 2012). These numbers are reflected outside the US with 49% of those infected by HIV being women with a predominant source of infection being related to heterosexual transmission (WHO, 2008). In sub-Saharan Africa, of those living with HIV, 60% are women. Attention to the influential context of social determinants of health provides unique opportunities for innovative prevention practice in HIV/AIDS prevention for women. In this paper, social determinants of health as an influential, behavioral concept is defined both in terms of women’s health and their sexual behavior decision making, along with examples of potential structural interventions that not only address the social determinants of their HIV risks but also reflect the contextual complexity of their life experiences. An earlier study (Abdul-Qader and Collins, 2011) solicited statements from a sample of experts in HIV prevention and areas of public health to identify potential structural interventions that would be feasible and impactful regarding HIV prevention - the DHAP Structural Interventions Mapping project. Data was elicited from these stakeholders most likely to be designing and guiding interventions to determine their perspectives on feasible and impactful structural intervention to address sexual behavior in women. The current paper is based on secondary analysis of 20 of these potential structural interventions generally and specifically applicable to women and their HIV prevention needs. Qualitative analysis resulted in three overall themes of economic interventions, response to violence against women and integrated health service delivery strategies that address key health-belief and socio-cultural issues. The themes are reflected and substantiated in current research literature, and provide a foundation for the next steps regarding research, policy planning and program implementation for developing evidence-based structural interventions focused on preventing HIV in women

Making each and every African fisher count: women do fish

Role of women, Fisheries, Africa, east, Africa, west,

Project vital: Community revitalization industry report

ViTAL (Vitality Through Active Living) FIJIAN PROJECT The ViTAL project aims to aid in the reduction of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through investment in the health and well-being of women by increasing the level of participation in physical activity (PA) and health eating across the community. Women are agents of change in families, communities and countries. The ViTAL program aims to support, other community-based programs such as community gardens, healthy cooking classes, healthy cookbooks, walking groups and other ongoing physical activity programs

Gender and innovation processes in maize-based systems

This MAIZE report offers a panorama of the gender dimensions of local agricultural innovation processes in the context of maize-based farming systems and livelihoods

Feminist Collaboration in the Art Academy

Women\u27s activity in the visual arts both in and outside of the art institutions of Europe and the United States reveals a history of collaboration in artistic production and political activism This paper analyzes the effects of feminist collaboration upon the disciplines of art, the pedagogy of art, and the administration of art institutions. In Part I, the authors review the impact of feminist collaboration in art history, aesthetics, art criticism, and art production. Part II provides examples of collaborative experiences of women in higher education art institutions and in some art communities in the United States, Scandinavia, and Italy. Three conclusions emerged from the review: (a) Collaboration facilitated women\u27s entry into the visual arts; (b) collaborative dialogue has changed the academic structures of art criticism and art history, but collaboration has had a minimal effect in the areas of aesthetics and art production; and (c) collaboration has not resulted in a significant change in the administration or pedagogy of art institutions

Women and Agroforestry: A Human Ecology Approach to Understanding The Needs and Priorities of Women Farmers in Africa

This study examined rural Ugandan women's lives to discover reasons why they may or may not practice agroforestry. These women are responsible for the triple roles of reproduction, production and community maintenance work, all carried out within the context of a gendered social environment. From the perspective of the social manifestations of gender, six key factors were identified. The findings were used to create a theoretical model of the interaction between rural women's lives and agroforestry systems. The model shows that agroforestry is not only a biophysical farming system; There is a human component in that interacts with other components to determine the success or failure of an agroforestry initiative. The model can be used to identify and understand the human component of the agroforestry system on an individual and community level.women in development, agroforestry programs, human ecology, women and work, Crop Production/Industries, Labor and Human Capital,