The striking results obtained by integrating a gender perspective in natural resource conservation in the Pakistan project component of the Inter-regional project for Particpatory Upland Conservation and Development, would not have materialized had women's participation in the project not been mainstreamed as a part of the project strategy for implementation.
Even though PRA tools like the Daily Time Profile, designed to collect gender disaggregated data indicate clearly that women are responsible for agricultural field work, for the collection of fuel and fodder, for carrying water and feeding and caring for animals, technically there is still no place for gender related information to be integrated directly into project planning unless projects and governments are willing to give the work that rural women do technical recognition and representation.
The Pakistan project illustrated how rural women can be involved in NRC. The following are a few suggestions to keep in mind while developing programmes with a gender perspective on NRC.
· Avoid sticking women in WID components of NRC projects where they have no voice. Mainstream women's activities in projects and give them complete equity.
· Use the PRA as a focal point to evolve an ever changing process that promotes women's and community participation in NRC instead of imposing set targets. Sustainability is not a fixed concept, it is ever changing and always adapting.
· Accept that NRC, because it is long term and does not deliver immediate benefit, is not a priority with rural people. PRAs need to be directed to NRC, but when rural men and women participate in PRAs their expectations are raised so more immediate benefits need to be integrated into NRC projects.
· Consider carefully the triple gender role of rule women and their real time constraints while designing activities with them.
· Make sure that group promoters or extensionists are trainined in using tools to collect and use gender disaggregated information and train them to facilitate rather than act on the empowerment both of rural women and of the poorest groups.
· Ensure that GA training is conducted especially at the senior management and decision making level but also with field workers and extensionists and at the community level.
At last, it should be acknowledged that developing participatory methodology and implementing participatory projects requires more time than the usual project time frame. Empowerment is a lengthy process.
