Gender, Local Knowledge, and Lessons Learnt in Documenting and Conserving Agrobiodiversity

gender, biodiversity, agrobiodiversity, indigenous knowledge, conservation, sustainable management, genetic

Gender, local knowledge, and lessons learnt in documenting and conserving agrobiodiversity

This paper explores the linkages between gender, local knowledge systems and agrobiodiversity for food security by using the case study of LinKS, a regional FAO project in Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Tanzania over a period of eight years and now concluded. The project aimed to raise awareness on how rural men and women use and manage agrobiodiversity, and to promote the importance of local knowledge for food security and sustainable agrobiodiversity at local, institutional and policy levels by working with a diverse range of stakeholders to strengthen their ability to recognize and value farmers’ knowledge and to use gender-sensitive and participatory approaches in their work. This was done through three key activities: capacity building, research and communication. The results of the LinKS study show clearly that men and women farmers hold very specific local knowledge about the plants and animals they manage. Local knowledge, gender and agrobiodiversity are closely interrelated. If one of these elements is threatened, the risk of losing agrobiodiversity increases, having negative effects on food security. Increased productivity, economic growth and agricultural productivity are important elements in poverty reduction. The diverse and complex agroecological environment of Sub-Saharan Africa requires that future efforts be based on more localized solutions while maintaining a global outlook. Food security will have to build much more on local knowledge and agrobiodiversity with a clear understanding of gender implications while keeping in mind the continuously changing global socioeconomic and political conditions. – gender ; biodiversity ; agrobiodiversity ; indigenous knowledge ; conservation ; sustainable management ; genetic resources ; participation ; livelihood

Investing in women as drivers of agriculture

Agriculture for Development, the 2008 World Development Report, showed that agriculture is a critical source of livelihoods for women in many developing countries, and a key pathway out of poverty.1 It also portrayed women in many rural societies as especially constrained by a lack of access to inputs, productive resources, and services. They also often lack incentives to invest given the greater vulnerability and proportionately greater exposure to risk that result from having fewer assets, and the very real likelihood that once their niche in the value chain becomes commercially profitable it will be expropriated by men. The Gender and Agriculture Sourcebook uses empirical evidence to inform policy formulation and program design.2 It provides decision makers and practitioners with practical guidance, not only on how to avoid the pitfalls of gender neutral planning, but on how to capitalize on the extraordinary productive and poverty reducing potential of the woman farmer

Gender equality, resilience to climate change, and the design of livestock projects for rural livelihoods

Currently, there is growing interest in how livestock projects can contribute to resilience to the effects of climate change. In this article we recommend a shift away from gross productivity to sustainability, via the use of thrifty local breeds, with an additional emphasis on improving survival of young animals. These animals, due to their local adaptations, are more likely to be resilient to climate change. There is a gender dimension to these proposals, since smaller animals and local breeds are more likely to be perceived by communities as suitable for husbandry by women. We recommend a re-orientation towards an explicit gender-equality focus for these projects

The Greek community of Vancouver : social organization and adaptation

This thesis is an ethnographic account of the social organization of the Vancouver Greek community with a focus on some ethnic institutions. The Church, the voluntary associations and the Greek language school are examined in order to determine their significance and role in the process of adaptation. The social organization of the Vancouver Greek community is viewed within the context of overseas Greek settlements. A historical account of early Greek immigration to the United States, Montreal and Toronto is given, in order to provide a historical background to the investigation. The methodology is inter-disciplinary combining historical, anthropological and sociological techniques. The analysis is based on, (1) participant observation and interviews of leaders and members of the community; (2) primary historical data on the Greeks in Vancouver including Greek newspapers, Church and voluntary associations periodicals; and (3) published and unpublished materials on the Greeks in Canada, the United States and Australia. It was found that in the Vancouver Greek community the Church acts not only as a nationalistic, integrative and culture-preserving institution, but also as the official community government. The important role that the Church plays in the Vancouver Greek community is shown to be common to other overseas Greek communities such as those of Montreal and Toronto. The voluntary associations were found to act as important adaptive mechanisms through which the leadership of the community arises. The Greek language school ensures to a certain degree the continuation and preservation of the Greek language and culture. The three ethnic institutions that were examined, were found to perform a dual role as both culture-sustaining agents and as aids to adaptation.Arts, Faculty ofSociology, Department ofGraduat

Egalité des sexes

Version anglaise disponible dans la Bibliothèque numérique du CRDI: Gender and development : equity for allVersion espagnole disponible dans la Bibliothèque numérique du CRDI: Genero y desarrollo : equidad para todo

Gender and equity

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Sexes et developpement : l'égalité pour tousSpanish version available in IDRC Digital Library: Genero y desarrollo : equidad para todo

Equidad entre géneros

Versión inglés en la biblioteca: Gender and development : equity for allVersión francés en la biblioteca: Sexes et développement : l'égalité pour tou