GE304 Tutorial 10

Question 2: Refer to one example of international policy framework that raises

awareness and promote actions for gender equality. Use example to illustrate your
answer.

 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

(CEDAW): CEDAW is often referred to as an international bill of rights for women
and is considered one of the most comprehensive international agreements on gender
equality.CEDAW was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979 and
has been ratified by 189 countries, including Tuvalu. It sets out the rights of women
and provides a framework for countries to eliminate discrimination against women in
all areas of life, including political, economic, social, cultural, and civil rights.
 CEDAW requires countries that have ratified the convention to take a series of
measures to end discrimination against women. These measures include:

1. Legislative Changes:Countries are required to enact laws and amend existing

legislation to ensure gender equality and protect women's rights in areas such
as employment, education, healthcare, and family life.
2. Policy Development:Countries are encouraged to develop and implement
policies and programs that promote gender equality and women's
empowerment in various sectors of society.
3. Article 11: Article 11 of CEDAW focuses on eliminating employment
discrimination against women. It emphasizes equal rights in work
opportunities, job security, free of choice of profession, remuneration, social
security, health, and safety. The article calls for measures to ensure equality in
job selection, promotion, benefits, and conditions of service, as well as equal
treatment for work of equal value and protection of women's reproductive
function at work.

 UNSDG GOAL NO.5: Gender Equality

 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action(1995) - The Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action was endorsed at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in
Beijing in 1995 to which representatives of the government and the civil society
organisations of Tuvalu attended. The BpA constitutes a blueprint for advancing
women's human rights and gender equality in all areas of life. Twelve critical areas of
concern were identified related to environment, decision-making, girl child, economy,
poverty, violence against women, human rights, education and training, health, media,
armed conflict, and institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women.Every
five years the countries are invited to submit a report to the United Nations on the
progress in implementing the BpA. Tuvalu submitted its last report for the BpA+25 in
2019.
 The UN Commission on the Status of Women(1946) – An annual meeting of a
two-week session at the HQ in New York is dedicated to review the implementation,
discuss gaps, and share experiences in the implementation of the Bp and, since 2015,
the gender perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals.Member States
negotiate the agreed conclusions that outlines further action to accelerate progress and
 the recommendations are submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) and is used to inform the global development agenda. UN
Women is the secretariat of the CSW.

Question 3: The SAMOA Pathway recognizes gender equality for sustainable

development in and for SIDS, do you see potential conflicts, if any or opportunities, if
any, that it brings to your governance at the local level broadly and to resource
conservation and management in particular? Use examples to support your answer.

 Article 76 & 77:The statement stresses the crucial role of gender equality and
women's empowerment in driving sustainable development and economic growth in
small island developing States (SIDS). It calls for eliminating discrimination,
integrating a gender perspective into development priorities, empowering women
economically, ending violence against women, ensuring their full participation in
decision-making, guaranteeing access to education and healthcare, promoting and
protecting women's human rights and reproductive health rights, addressing structural
inequalities and discrimination, and granting women equal rights to economic
resources such as land, property, credit, and technology to achieve transformative and
sustainable development in SIDS.

 Potential Conflicts:

1. Traditional Gender Roles:In some SIDS, traditional gender roles may conflict
with efforts to promote gender equality. For example, if women are primarily
responsible for household duties and caregiving, it may be challenging to
ensure their equal participation in decision-making processes related to
resource conservation and management.
2. Resistance to Change:Resistance to changing power dynamics and traditional
norms within communities could create conflicts when attempting to
implement gender equality initiatives. For instance, if there is resistance to
women taking on leadership roles in resource management, it may hinder
progress.

 Opportunities:

1. Diverse Perspectives:Promoting gender equality can bring diverse

perspectives to governance and resource management. Women often have
unique insights and priorities that can enhance decision-making processes. For
example, women may prioritize sustainable resource use for future
generations.
2. Capacity Building:By empowering women and ensuring their participation in
governance and resource management, SIDS can tap into a broader talent pool
and enhance overall capacity. This can lead to more innovative and effective
solutions. For instance, involving women in community-based conservation
projects can lead to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

In conclusion, while there may be potential conflicts in addressing gender equality in

governance and resource management in SIDS, there are significant opportunities for
enhancing sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. By addressing these challenges and
leveraging the opportunities, SIDS can promote more effective and sustainable development
pathways.

Question 4: With reference to the National Gender Policy of your country - as a senior
government official, what activities/initiatives (or refinements of existing programmes)
will you do to promote or support the aims of that policy and in relation to resource
conservation and management in your community? Use example to support
your answer.

 As a senior government official in Tuvalu, I would implement the following specific,

strategic, and realistic activities to promote the aims of the National Gender Policy
while addressing resource conservation and management in the community:

1. Establish Gender-Responsive Training Programs:Develop and implement

training programs focused on gender-sensitive approaches to natural resource
management. These programs would target both women and men involved in
agriculture, fisheries, and conservation, providing them with the necessary
skills and knowledge to engage in sustainable practices effectively.
2. Engage in Community Outreach and Awareness Campaigns:Conduct
community outreach programs and awareness campaigns on the importance of
gender equality in resource conservation. These initiatives would aim to
change attitudes, promote women's participation, and highlight the valuable
contributions that women make to sustainable resource management practices.
3. Establish Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms:Develop monitoring and
evaluation mechanisms to track the progress of gender-responsive initiatives
in resource conservation. Regular assessments would help identify successes,
challenges, and areas for improvement, allowing for adaptive management and
continuous enhancement of gender equality efforts in natural resource
management.

By implementing these specific and strategic activities, we can effectively promote gender
equality, empower women in resource management, and contribute to sustainable
development and conservation efforts in Tuvalu.

Question 5: Case Analysis

Case Study 1
This article highlights the crucial role of women in water management and economic
development in Central Asia. Women are key stakeholders in water provision, management,
and safeguarding, possessing valuable knowledge about water resources. Engaging and
empowering women in water management is essential for effective governance, sustainable
resource development, and improved health and sanitation. Despite this importance, women
are often excluded from decision-making processes, leading to missed opportunities and
challenges in water management and economic growth.

Case Study 2
  In Reading 34, it would be Recognition of Traditional Knowledge: Acknowledge
and incorporate traditional knowledge and practices of both women and men in
resource conservation. The Vhavenda people's ethic of cooperation, dialogue, and
collaboration can serve as a model for integrating gender perspectives into
conservation initiatives. The ethic observed among the Vhavenda people in
Zimbabwe regarding resource conservation emphasizes cooperation, dialogue,
collaboration, and inclusiveness between men and women. In Vhavenda practices,
both genders play different but complementary roles in conservation activities. Men
typically handle energy-demanding tasks, while women engage in lighter but time-
consuming activities. Importantly, there is no gendered division of responsibility for
specific resources; instead, men and women work together in collaboration and
dialogue to conserve different resources

This ethic of cooperation and inclusiveness reflects a holistic approach to resource

conservation, where the contributions of both women and men are valued and integrated into
conservation initiatives. By recognizing the importance of gender equality and promoting
joint efforts between genders, the Vhavenda people demonstrate a sustainable model of
resource management that prioritizes collective well-being and environmental stewardship.

 In Reading 35, would be on Raising Awareness and Education and Networking

(Knowledge Sharing) - Facilitate knowledge sharing between women and men to
exchange experiences and best practices in resource conservation. This can help
bridge the gender gap in environmental management and promote mutual learning
and understanding.
 Community Workshops: Organize workshops and community events that focus on
gender equality and environmental conservation. These events can bring together
women and men from local communities to discuss gender roles in resource
management, share traditional knowledge, and develop action plans for collaborative
conservation efforts

 Research and Publications: Encourage research on gender and conservation issues

and publish findings in academic journals, policy briefs, and popular media outlets.
Disseminating research findings can raise awareness, inform decision-making
processes, and drive policy changes that promote gender equality in resource
management