Gender-based planning in India: An assessment of "women-oriented strategies"
Abstract
A recurring theme among a growing body of literature has been on the linkage between gender and environment, often termed as ecofeminism. In a developing country such as India, this linkage takes on a particular significance as the majority of women are employed in the agricultural sector. As the Indian forestland is declining at an estimated rate of 1.3 million hectares a year, it highlights rapid environmental degradation and the depletion of resource base necessary for women's survival. In recent years, the Government of India along with various non-governmental organizations have undertaken numerous projects, based on "Women-Oriented strategies," specifically aimed at the upliftment of women's status and upgrading the environment. This research examines, qualitatively and quantitatively, the effectiveness of these projects in meeting the dual goals of increasing women's most basic survival needs while regenerating natural resources. The quantitative study relies on data compiled by the government of India's Waste Land Development Board, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indian Forest Research Institute, and several NGOs. The qualitative analysis is based on multiple case studies compiled from NGO publications, government evaluation reports, and academic studies. The research compares the results of the projects adopting women-oriented strategies with those not doing so. Overall, the dependent variables assess (a) the extent and the nature of women's participation in the planning, maintenance, and implementation of the projects, and factors which facilitate or inhibit women's participation in these projects, and the role of government officials in enhancing women's participation; (b) the form of benefits derived from these projects, economic, social and otherwise; (c) the knowledge, attitude, and perception of women involved in these projects towards these projects; (d) the area of wasteland recovered through these projects; and (e) the sustainability of the recovered land. The results of the quantitative and qualitative analysis show that it is imperative to mobilize and target rural poor women to enhance their status. It is clearly shown that projects based on women-oriented strategy result in higher income, participation, and education for women. Ownership of the produce and/or land proved to be powerful determinant for environmental regeneration.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Stohl, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Public administration|Womens studies|Political science|Agriculture|South Asian Studies
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