Raising the voices of women on land and resources

Raising the voices of women on land and resources
Country: PNG
Partner: Wide Bay Association

Wide Bay Conservation Association is active in rural Pomio in facilitating community empowerment processes and specifically supporting clan groups in taking ownership of their clan land and resources decisions within a matrilineal society. Traditionally, women have held positions of recognition as the custodians of the land. The role of women in building their clan, land and resource ownership made women very important in society. However, this is changing. With the pressure for development and an increasingly market driven economy these traditional systems are under pressure and land is increasingly becoming a commodity. Women’s status as partners in decision making is changing and men increasingly are making decisions around land and resource issues independently. Women are losing their role as custodians to their clan land and resources and are at risk of being mere spectators and recipients within the new development concept.

photo Deb Chapman

This project aims to increase women’s organisation, visibility and voice in discussions, awareness raising and decision making around their natural resources in areas where these resources are at risk from the effects of unsustainable development practices.

Project Objectives

• Increase in women’s voices and decision-making in land use and sustainable development at the community, ward and local government level of Pomio District
• Reinvigorate network of clan based women’s groups active in community development initiatives, land use decisions and planning for sustainable development.

This project is funded by IWDA supporters and through the ANCP matched giving program.

-last updated 25/02/09

Tags: Environment, Natural Resources, PNG, Wide Bay

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 under Papua New Guinea, Projects.