Gender mainstreaming in integrated watershed management project: a study in hill region of Uttarakhand
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Date
2018-08
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Natural resources are the prime source of livelihood for hill people. Growing population and technological advancement are continuously putting a strain on the natural resources. Hence, it is of utmost important to conserve and promote the natural resources and environment. Women play a vital role in conservation of natural resources due to their direct contact with natural resources like fuel, fodder and food, forest, water and land etc. Women share major responsibility in conservation of natural resources through their participation in watershed management activities. Although they are actively engaged in watershed management activities, but quantifying their role and participation in Integrated Watershed Management Project activities remains a challenge at all levels. So there is a need to fill this gap and to identify their active role in IWMP activities. Keeping this in view, the policy makers and project staff give specific attention to women and their needs, concern, time, opinion and various constraints. IWMP activities and responsibilities are shared by both men and women. So, there is an urgent need to analyze the roles of both men and women in Integrated Watershed Management Project activities. Therefore, the present study was carried out on Gender Mainstreaming in Integrated Watershed Management Project (IWMP): A Study in Hill Region of Uttarakhand. The descriptive research design was used to meet the objectives of the study. The study has been carried out in Uttarakhand. Uttarkashi and Bageshwar districts were selected purposively. Naugaon block from Uttrakashi and Garud from Bageshwar district were selected through simple random sampling. Six villages were selected by simple random sampling without replacement and beneficiaries were selected from each village by using probability proportionate to size method. The sample size was comprised of 300 beneficiaries. Equal number of men and women beneficiaries was selected purposively. The data collection techniques such as semi-structured interview schedule, focus group discussion, observation, case study were used in the study. The study revealed that majority of the respondents belonged to middle age, general caste, married, were illiterate with small family size (less than 5 members) and living in nuclear family. The main occupation was farming with small land holding (less than 34 nali). Majority of the respondents had low level of extension agency contact and medium level of information seeking behaviour. Respondents considered Watershed Committees, SHGs, NGOs, Gram Panchayats and Mahila Mandals were important institutions for the effective inclusion of women in watershed management activities. Majority of the watershed management activities were performed by women except construction of stone barrier, mulching and tree planting. The total time spent by men was 6.58 hours per day whereas women spent 10 hours per day on watershed management activities. In the activity terracing, broad beds, slopping land and nursery raising, majority of decisions were jointly taken. Pooled data of men and women responses revealed cent per cent control of men on land and credit. There was total control of men over agricultural produce, inputs, agricultural tools, marketing of farm produce and livestock. On the other hand, women had very little control over marketing of farm produce and livestock. The findings revealed that highest gender gap (74.08 per cent) was found in the field of ownership and minimum gap (18.92 per cent) was found between men and women in participation related to watershed management activities. Majority of the respondents reported that women were involved by government through reservation policy. The study found out that socio-cultural factors like reproductive role, lack of property right, migration of men, attitude of society and men supremacy affected women’s participation. More than half (54 per cent) of the respondents showed neutral perception on gender sensitive indicators. The functionaries reported that lack of time, interest, information, gender stereotypes in communication and irregular contact with women beneficiaries’ were identified as major constraints in the implementation of gender mainstreaming policies. Some important suggestions given by project functionaries in the study were providing specialized training for women groups, creating gender awareness among men and women and involvement of gender experts in IWMP to enhance the women participation in watershed management. IWMP considered participation of women at all levels as the most effective tool of achieving gender equity and sensitivity. It can be concluded on the basis of findings that women actively carried out major activities in IWMP but still their contribution is being unrecognized. IWMP can be more effective and successful by integrating gender perspective into project activities. It will help to bring up women at equal position as men in the decision making process.
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