Women Participation in Environmental Management

Authors: Priyanka Jain, Purvi Namdeo, Shweta Rathod

Certificate: View Certificate

Abstract

Introduction

Environmentalism in recent years has become a dominant discourse. The various fields of this discipline collectively promote a number of issues regarding environment and development. Development requires an understanding and control over human relationship with nature, other wisely known as environmental management. Such management becomes meaningful only when women contribute and are allowed to contribute their full participation in the field. Development has fortunately given way to sustainable development, and growth has given way to ‘green growth’. Now-a-days, the concern for maintaining ecological balance emerged in the form of vocal and expressive social movement. Governments the world over are now speculating the global dimension of a number of environmental problems, such as climate change, ozone depletion, dumping of hazardous wastes, destruction of biological resources and of forests’ environmental management programmers. The situation has become bad to worse. Now it is high time for taking appropriate measures to solve environmental problems. A lot of studies on women and environment have shown that women are significant actors in natural resource management and they are also major contributors to environment rehabilitation and conservation. Women’s direct contact with the environment has produced their deep knowledge about the environment. Women through their roles as farmers and as collectors of water and firewood have a close connection with their local environment. They often suffer most directly from environmental problems. Thus women have served as agriculturists, waterresource-managers, responsible domestic and household managers, health planners, forest managers etc. So, involving women in protecting the environment would help societies to develop a sense of responsibility. And it is needed to maintain a good balance between human and nature and natural resources. Women view environment as the life support systems of humanity. It is the source of all life, that people are dependent on the environment. Without good environment, our life would not be peaceful and healthy. Women’s commitment and dedication to work is a manifestation of their selfless love and concern for the environment; for their children and for the future generation .

Conclusion

In a rapidly changing global scenario, the importance of women participation is second to none. Women, who make up half of the world’s population, have benefited more than men from the progress in economic and social development in the last three decades. Nevertheless, they continue to be over represented among the world’s most helpless groups. Gender is a goal in its own right but also a key factor for sustainable economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability. By providing the same opportunities to women and, including in decision making in all kinds of activities,