Gender and biodiversity

The importance of biodiversity to individuals varies according to gender. Based upon the
social roles between men and women, gender is shaped by culture, social relations, and
natural environments. For this reason, we need to incorporate gender dimensions into our
understanding of biodiversity and its conservation, sustainable use and the sharing of benefits.
Gender roles affect economic, political, social and ecological opportunities and constraints
faced by both men and women. Recognizing women’s roles as primary land and resource
managers is central to the success of biodiversity policy. For example, women farmers currently
account for 60-80% of all food production in developing countries, but gender often remains
overlooked in decision-making on access to, and the use of, biodiversity resources.
Just as the impact of biodiversity loss is disproportionately felt by poorer communities, there
are also disparities along gender lines. Biodiversity loss affects access to education and gender
equality by increasing the time spent by women and children in performing certain tasks, such
as collecting valuable resources and services such as fuel, food and water.
To conserve biodiversity, we need to understand and expose gender-differentiated biodiversity
practices, gendered knowledge acquisition and usage. Various studies demonstrate that
projects integrating gender dimensions generate superior results. Gender considerations are
not solely a women’s issue; instead, this outlook could yield advantages for whole communities
and benefit both sexes.
The Convention on Biological Diversity developed a Gender Plan of Action that defines the
Secretariat’s role in stimulating and facilitating efforts on national, regional, and global levels to promote gender equality and mainstream a gender perspective. The Millennium Development
Goals emphasize clear linkages between gender equality, poverty alleviation, biodiversity
conservation and sustainable development. Such insights should be included into our outlook
and approach for reversing biodiversity loss, reducing poverty and improving human well-being,(UN,2008).
Gender quality in particular country emphasize much on conserving biodiversity because both engaging on how can improve their natural so as to benefit from them, in most of sub Saharan African gender plays vital role in both forest and domestic conservation of biodiversity