We promote equal rights and opportunities for vulnerable groups in landscape governance, while supporting civil society to maintain or increase its operational space
Civic space, gender & inclusion
Every person has the right to freely access natural resources, and to participate in decisions that affect their environment. That’s why we strengthen the voice of citizens in developing countries, with special attention to gender-mainstreaming and inclusion of Indigenous peoples. We also create the conditions for civil society organisations to maintain or increase their operational space, often in a context of shrinking civic space.
Worldwide, six in every ten countries are seriously restricting people’s fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression (Civicus, 2018). In several countries where SRJS operates, there is widespread repression of and violence against environmental and land defenders. In this challenging context it is important for organisations and individuals to find ways to continue their work without compromising their safety. We build capacity in operational security and rights, to help better reinforce our partners’ resilience and wellbeing.
Local and Indigenous communities, and specific groups such as women and youth, often have insufficient access to and involvement in decision making over natural resources. We therefore give special attention to gender-mainstreaming and inclusion of Indigenous peoples and local communities in all programme components. Our partners in Aceh (Indonesia), Ghana and Tanzania offer good examples of gender-mainstreaming, while Cambodia, the Guianas and Myanmar nicely illustrate the involvement of local communities.
Cambodia - Securing communities’ rights to natural resources
Ghana - Building gender capacity toward developing institutional gender policies
Global - How to ensure the local voice in landscape governance?
Global - Towards improved safety and operational space for environmental defenders
Cambodia - Securing communities’ rights to natural resources
Ghana - Building gender capacity toward developing institutional gender policies
Global - How to ensure the local voice in landscape governance?
Global - Towards improved safety and operational space for environmental defenders
Indonesia - Gender equality in mangrove management
Myanmar - Empowering young community leaders for sustainable natural resource management
Tanzania - Village dialogues empower women to get control over natural resources