Women poverty and the environment in Latin America.

About 80% of the poor in Latin America live in environmentally degraded areas. Well-being is threatened and the poor add to the environmental burden. Poor women are key players in the dynamic interaction between the environment and population. This report supplies the findings of a review of regional information on womens environmental contributions to protecting natural resources and the environment in Latin America. 94 organizations are identified that integrate to some extent women and environment activities. Most of the activities involve natural resource conservation: organic gardening agroforestry reforestation cultivation of medicinal plants waste management sanitation and hygiene creation of “green” areas environmental activism and environmental education. Findings are based on questionnaire responses interviews published materials and project descriptions. The womens efforts were small in scale but the contributions were important enough to warrant expansion of activities and strengthening of womens roles. Donor support is requested for encouraging the formulation of gender-sensitive policies on environment and development and expanding program assistance to women and environment activities. Specific recommendations are for supporting a dialogue between researchers and field staff working with women on environmental issues and for direct aid to organizations for expanding womens environmental roles. Policy has constrained womens access to land and capital which constrains womens environmental roles. Suggested program areas include agriculture and forestry extension services appropriate technologies transfers marketing of recycled goods nonformal education and information dissemination. Organization staff require training that would assist in addressing gender issues. Funding should also be directed to collaborative and multidisciplinary efforts that would widen regional understanding of womens environmental issues. Sustained funding at small amounts is desired. Specific chapter topics include a discussion of the link between poverty and environmental damage sources of information in Latin America on women and the environment a review of womens environmental contributions and strengthening womens environmental role through policy change program support knowledge and donor support.