CARE InternationalPoverty, Environment and Climate Change NetworkPresented at the Adaptation Knowledge Forum, 12 March 2012

Gender in adaptation: from lessons observed to lessons learned

Lessons observed

Differential vulnerability analysis, including gender, is an essential starting point:

Identify appropriate entry points

Resist stereotypes

Recognize opportunity

Avoid overburdening women

Move beyond the select few

Don’t forget about the men

Lessons observed

Conflict and tensions need to be managed and not stifled.

Creating platforms and spaces for women’s leadership to emerge is crucial

Progress in one area is usually insufficient for a woman to fully realize her rights and aspirations

Engage staff in gender and empowerment initiatives.

Long-term commitments require long-term funding

Going from lessons observed to lessons learned

Challenges:

Competing priorities and needs on the ground

Trying to do everything at once

Capacity

Funding

The traditional instrumental approach to gender

Complexity

Understanding gender

Enabling factors:

Twin track approach to gender and women’s empowerment

Right-based approach

FLS/DRR/UCP programming as a good entry point

Project-to-program shift

Learning organization

Realistic understanding of where you are on the gender continuum

Going from lessons observed to lessons learned

Progress along the gender continuum… what does this look like in practice for CARE?

Strategic Impact Inquiry on gender and women’s empowerment

Planning adaptation based on participatory, gendered analysis of vulnerability

Designing, implementing and monitoring adaptation initiatives with the participation of both women and men

Identifying specific adaptation strategies for women and men

Incorporating gender-transformative activities

Promoting gender-equitable adaptation policies and programmes through our global and national advocacy efforts

More information:www.careclimatechange.org