IIED webinar: Gender and biodiversity conservation – progress and future directions

Gender equality is fundamental to achieving IIED's mission. But it is not just a prerequisite to the issues we work on, it is also essential to our ways of working.

By definition that must include a strong – and in places transformative – approach to gender, one that critically examines gender roles, relations and dynamics, and transforms the underlying social structures, policies and norms that perpetuate inequalities and imbalances between and among women and men. 

This webinar, part of the work of IIED's internal Gender Equality Champions Network, discussed historical trends and future possibilities for promoting gender equality/equity in biodiversity conservation.

It heard from speakers from policy, NGO and research perspectives who will address four questions looking back over the last 15 years:

• To what extent has there been progress towards gender equality/equity in conservation (rhetoric and genuine change)? 
• What has brought this about/constrained progress?
• What difference is this making in terms of social and conservation outcomes?
• Where are we going from here?  

Programme:

• Introductions (watch a recording of Francesca Booker explaining gender ambition at IIED on IIED's YouTube channel)
• Policy perspective: Andrea Quesada, consultant, and formerly Women’s Environment and Development Organisation (watch a recording on IIED's YouTube channel)
• Conservation NGO perspective: Helen Anthem, Fauna and Flora International, and formerly CAFOD (watch a recording on IIED's YouTube channel)
• Action research perspective: Phil Franks, IIED, and formerly CARE (watch a recording on IIED's YouTube channel)
• Question-and-answer session with participants
• Discussion, review and closing remarks