Gender Mainstreaming and Sustainable Livelihood Approach

a Case Study from Sri Lanka in a longitudinal lens

Colloquium on Poverty Research 2011-CEPA

Paper by Maneka Jayasinghe and Rajith W.D. Lakshman

Research Problem

How far rural development interventions which adopt gender sensitive approaches have been able to promote gender equality in the medium term?

Rural development intervention: Gemidiriya Community development and livelihood improvement project (12 years project commenced in 2004 and c0mpleted the 1st phase in 2010 and is preparing for the 2nd phase)

Whether the project uses a gender sensitive approach? Yes

Gender Concern: reduction of gender imbalances in rural communities and thereby empowering women and mainstreaming them in development

Gendered Targets of the Project: 50% of the women in the village should hold

managerial positions in all committees All the village level decisions should be approved in

the general meeting of the village with more than 50% female participation.

Gemidiriya Community Development and Livelihood Improvement Project

Gemidiriya ProjectGemidiriya Project

Credit and Savings Fund+ Onetime GrantCredit and Savings Fund+ Onetime Grant

Capacity BuildingCapacity BuildingLivelihood Improvement

Livelihood Improvement

Infrastructure DevelopmentInfrastructure Development

Innovative Seeds FundInnovative Seeds Fund

Skill Development Skill Development

Gemidiriya Project Cont:

Data and Methodology

Primary data [Survey (110 households) and in-depth interviews (10 household), Interviews with project officers, members of the Gemidiriya village organization]

Secondary data [Baseline data collected by the project in 2004 (adjusted for inflation), project specific and other literature]

Sample properties 457 individuals, 51 % male and 49

% female 110 households, 12 % is female

headed and 88% is male headed Marital status: 53 % is married, 42

% is unmarried Occupation distribution: 35

individual -Mining , 34 -cultivation workers and 34- laborers,15- garment factories, 10-working in tea estates.

Data and Methodology cont:

The data is gathered and analyzed both at the household level and the individual level.

The analytical framework we used is DIFD “Sustainable Livelihood Framework”

We examined how the development intervention has been able to increase Financial , Social and Human Capital Ownership in the asset pentagon.

Source: DFID Sustainable Livelihood Guidance Sheet, 1999

Research Findings Financial Capital: Income Level

Table 1: Individual Level income by gender

Table 2: Household level income by gender of the head of the household

Source: * Baseline survey 2004 ** Household survey 2010

Research Findings cont:Financial Capital: Savings

Behavior

Source: * Base line survey 2004 ** Household survey 2010

Research Findings cont:Financial Capital: Access to loans

Source: * Baseline survey 2004 ** Household survey 2010

Research Findings cont:Human Capital: Education

Source: Household survey 2010

•Human Capital improvement through Skill development: 15 individuals (1 female and 14 male have been able to improve their livelihood skills under skills development component

Social Capital: Female participation and Leadership

Representation of women in Decision-Making Positions of Village Organizations (Percentage)Village Organization Officials 2007 2010Board of Director 56 66Finance Committee 60 60Procurement Committee 60 60Social Audit Committee 60 80Village Savings and Credit Committee (VSCO)

100 100

Source: 2007: Our Village SAARC village, Gemidiriya 2007 2010: Calculated by the author using West Mudunkotuwa Gemidiriya field office committee report

Conclusion

Research findings show mixed results

Overall achievements: Development interventions increases Financial Capital Ownership,

Social Capital Ownership and Human Capital Ownership of the community

Impact on reducing Gender Imbalances Where there is well defined targets, it is more likely to achieve

those

However, Where there is no targets, the achievements are not substantial

The persistence of medium term gender disparity in livelihoods and hence the income levels leads to question the sustainability of these gendered initiatives.

Recommendations

Set up well defined targets to reduce imbalances in the ownership of financial and human capital

• 1: Eliminate gender inequality in access to employment opportunities

• 2: Eliminating disparities in livelihood skills

Thank youQ&A