Female, male, sustainable - genanet - Leitstelle GENDER ...

Female, male, sustainable
Towards a gender equitable future
➤➤➤Documentation of activities

CONTENT
PREFACE Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, President of the Federal Environment Agency of Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PROFILE
genanet – focal point gender | environment | sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Subtle differences – arguments for more gender justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Not just initiate, but continue – Interview with Ulrike Röhr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
genanet impacts the first progress reports on the German Sustainability Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
genanet at the International Conference for Renewable Energies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
genanet develops benchmarks for German parliamentary elections 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
genanet publishes a book focusing on women’s resistance against nuclear power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SERVICES
genanet services: an overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
PRODUCTS Materials for further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
PARTNERS
Overview of partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
“It is not about ‘getting a piece of the pie’, it’s about trying a new recipe”, portrait of Jens Janson . . . . . 25
CHRONICLE
A selection of events from 2003 to 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ADVISORY BOARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
IMPRINT AND PICTURE CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

PREFACE
Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, President, Federal Environment Agency of Germany
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PREFACE
You may be wondering why gender justice constitutes a precondition for sustainable, long-term environmentally
sound development. Regularly, surveys have shown that women and men perceive environmental risks
differently, often have different attitudes towards technical solutions to environmental problems, and accept
the need for behavioural change in their own specific ways. We would be able to draw on a larger pool of ideas
if we were to integrate both perspectives – feminine and masculine – when debating environmental threats
such as climate change or the degradation of biodiversity. Ignoring one perspective, we lose out not only on
ideas, visions and potential solutions, but also on support for strong environmental policies.
Whether we look at the renewable energy sector or climate change negotiations, women are noticeably absent
from public discussion panels and management positions. As a result, we forego the innovative diversity of
perspectives offered by both genders.
The genanet project aims at linking gender justice and sustainability within a strong network of experts based
not only in Germany, but all across Europe.
For three years, genanet – focal point gender, environment, sustainability, has been dedicated to issues
connected to gender justice and sustainability. genanet informs, coordinates and takes a public stand – both
politically and scientifically. It places major emphasis on new ideas and concepts for the successful integration
of gender aspects into environment and sustainability. genanet provides fundamental, pro-active services to
successfully put the complex double issue of “gender justice and sustainability” firmly on the agenda – be it
at the International Conference for Renewable Energies in Bonn (2004), throughout the revision of the German
Federal Government’s Sustainability Strategy, or when commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl
disaster.
And genanet wants even more: It reaches out to the media and the general public so that they may benefit
from extensive comprehensive knowledge of this focal point on gender justice and sustainability.
I hope that genanet will continue to be successful, and that reading
of this brochure will be an inspiring experience for all of you.

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PROFILE
genanet – FOCAL POINT GENDER | ENVIRONMENT | SUSTAINABILITY
PROFILE
genanet is Germany’s coordination and service point linking
gender justice, environment and sustainability. To inform,
to coordinate, to give impetus and take a stand –
these basic tasks of genanet relate to a broader goal: Developing
new ideas and concepts that allow effectively to
integrate gender aspects into environmental and sustainability
issues.
genanet is the main coordinating node in a network of experts
in Germany and across Europe, pulling together rich
and diverse expertise on these complex issues. genanet
manages to enjoy a powerful presence and exert considerable
influence in policy making, science and the general
public – through publishing declarations, position papers,
and books, as well as giving lectures, participating in and
organising conferences, an up-to-date rich website and
other means.
In addition, genanet offers connections
with a pool of consultants, information,
counselling and training,
and thus supports institutions, organisations
and associations in the
area of environment and sustainability who wish to introduce
gender mainstreaming in their work and organisational
structures.
genanet is financially supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment,
Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Environment Agency of Germany.

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PROFILE
Gender, Sustainability, Gender Mainstreaming
While the term sex is used to describe the biological
distinctions between men and women,
gender describes the socially and culturally constructed,
historically developed, societal roles of
women and men. “Gender identity begins with
the knowledge and the consciousness of belonging
to one particular sex and not the other.
Gender roles describe the observable behaviour
exhibited towards society, the roles that people
play, especially in interaction with others.”
(Ralph Stoller)
The term sustainability first appeared in 1713,
in connection with forest preservation, which
was threatened by excessive clearing and industrialization.
In 1987, the Brundtland-Report
defined sustainability as a form of development
fulfilling the needs of today’s generation without
limiting the possibilities of future generations
to fulfil their needs. Agenda 21, agreed
in of 1992, builds on this definition, describing
sustainability as an overall concept for a
durable form of development that provides
solutions for present and future environmental
problems. The key idea in this context is to give
equal consideration to ecological, social and
economic aspects.
The term gender mainstreaming describes a
strategy for achieving gender equality at all
levels of society. While the term was introduced
1995 at the 4th UN Conference for Women in
Beijing, the concept became publicly known
through the Amsterdam Treaty, which declared
gender mainstreaming as an official strategy
of EU policies for gender equity.

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EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
The example of climate and energy can illustrate how gender
and environment issues are interwoven. By choosing
this particular topic, we highlight the extreme importance
that climate protection and the expansion of renewable
energy holds for the future of our society.
➤ genanet has compiled the gender aspects of several
environmental topics, such as biodiversity, agriculture
and food, health and mobility.
For further reading see “Issues from A-Z”
http://www.genanet.de/themen.html?&L=1
Climate Protection / Renewable Energies
It is an undisputable scientific fact that the
Earth is warming and that this warming is
human-made. Knowledge on climate change
has taken a long time to trickle through our
societies, but now the results are easy to see:
heat waves, droughts, hurricanes, floods, rising
sea levels and melting glaciers. Our societies are
fundamentally affected by climate change and
have therefore begun to take action – politically,
economically and technically. Actions include
international agreements such as the Kyoto
Protocol – which deals with emission levels and
certificates – as well as new technologies that
allow more efficient use of energy, and connecting
renewables derived from sun, wind, water
and biomass to the energy grid. While these
developments are predominantly directed at
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there is a
growing debate about additional strategies to
support our adaptation to the inevitable consequences
of climate change. We need to adapt
in a range of areas, including agriculture and
forestry, tourism and the renewable energy
sector. And we need to adapt our lifestyles and
our social structures.

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Subtle differences – arguments for
more gender justice
As a result of climate change, global environmental
transformations are gaining intensity, creating a
growing demand for solutions that cater to the
idiosyncrasies and needs of all social groups and for
inclusion in decision making processes. With this in
mind, genanet puts gender perspectives at the centre
and shows that the climate and energy sectors need
to turn their attention to gender roles and differences
between women and men – because differences rule:
in political debates and economic planning, in the
ways women and men are affected by environmental
problems, the ways they perceive risks, and so on.
Participation and involvement: Women are underrepresented
in all relevant political and economic decisions
concerning energy and climate protection – be it at
the local, national or international levels. Taking the
UN climate negotiations as an example, the percentage
of women in government delegations at the 11th UNFCCC
Conference in November 2006 was only 15.7 per cent. Even
though there are some instances of large, international,
non-governmental organisations led by courageous
women, primarily men, also in environmental associations,
deal with this subject area.
Employment and exertion of influence: In industrial
nations, energy production and distribution make up
some of the most significant economic factors. Accordingly,
these sectors are extremely powerful and that power
is exercised widely to the exclusion of women. In other
words: Women are afforded very little influence in both
national and international energy planning and policymaking.
Since energy production is a technically dominated
area of operation known for its extremely low
percentages of women, the creation of new jobs in the
renewable energy sector is of little advantage to them.
➤ genaStudy 5: Renewable energy fonds – profits exclusively
for higher-income-earners? A critical analysis
of tax incentives for share models in renewables / wind
power. Frankfurt/Main 2005. (in German only)
➤ genaStudy 6: Women in the renewable energy economy
– results of a survey among initiatives, associations,
and corporations. Frankfurt/Main 2005. (in German
only)
EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Both studies can be accessed over the Internet.
Visit: http://www.genanet.de/publikationen.html

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EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Risk perception: Women and men perceive risks differently
– this holds true also with regard to climate change.
Since women’s risk awareness is considerably higher,
women are inclined to have a less positive view of current
climate protection policies than men. Also, when it comes
to limiting the impacts of climate change, women do not
favour the same actions as men. They are not nearly as
ready to believe that environmental problems can be resolved
by science and technology alone. Instead, women
assign importance to each and every person’s contribution
to climate change and the need for lifestyle changes.
The fact that women’s attitude towards risk technologies is
more critical than that of men means that women are key
allies for further development of renewable energy – so
long as they are recognised and addressed as a target
group.
➤ genanet/Ulrike Röhr (Hg.): 20 Jahre Tschernobyl.
Frauen aktiv gegen Atomenergie – wenn aus Wut
Visionen werden. Norderstedt 2006. (20 years
Chernobyl. Women active against nuclear energy –
from rage to visions)
For further information and mail orders, visit
http://www.genanet.de/publikationen.html
A sample of articles translated into English is available
at http://www.genanet.de/tschernobyl.html?&L=1
Information and knowledge: Awareness campaigns do not
focus enough on women as a specific audience. Regularly,
studies indicate that women have significantly less specialist
knowledge on environmental issues, and consider
themselves to be less informed about current environmental
policies than men. These differences become particularly
apparent in areas that tend to be technically oriented,
such as climate protection or renewable energy.
Despite their lack of specialist knowledge, however, women
are more environmentally aware than men. Improved communication
strategies would create opportunities to tap
into his mostly unused potential, leveraging it for environmental
goals. By providing information to women in more
effective ways, they can be better included into the
design and the implementation of environmental policy
and action.
➤ The current genanet-project “Communication Strategy
Women/Gender, Environment, Sustainability” picks
up here: By close cooperation with women’s associations
and the media, women’s awareness of environmental
issues will be raised further.

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The South: The South suffers most from climate change,
though the impacts of environmental change affect women
and men differently. Droughts and floods can increase the
amount of time needed for food and fuel provision, which
are mostly the responsibility of women. Since the advantages
of a modern infrastructure are lacking, women have
to travel increasingly long distances in their search for
firewood. This situation does not only put women under
great physical strain, but also leaves them with hardly any
time to pursue alternate sources of income, get an education
or participate in social and local life. In addition,
air pollution caused by burning wood inside closed living
spaces is a health hazard and a cause for suffering. An
estimated 1.8 to 2.5 Million deaths are caused by indoor
air pollution, and the ones affected are mainly women
and children.
➤ For further Information about the subject area
“gender and climate protection/renewable energy”,
genanet’s Website features: Issues from A-Z:
http://www.genanet.de/themen.html?&L=1
EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
➤ Info pool/Fact Sheets:
http://www.genanet.de/fact_sheets.html?&L=1

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EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Not just initiation, but continuation
Interview with Ulrike Röhr, director of genanet
Ms Röhr, can you recount how you became so heavily involved in sustainable development
and gender justice, especially after studying civil engineering and then sociology at
university?
Well, I thought that there was not enough attention paid to social questions in technology, so I complemented
my studies with a degree in sociology. I have always preferred to look at things holistically, which
corresponds well with the concept of sustainable development. After finishing my studies, my first paid job
was to support a women’s housing squat in Berlin. Besides developing the actual project, my work also involved
negotiating with the owner of the house, the renovating agency and the Berlin senate as our external
financial source. In the planning process, I cooperated closely with the squatters and provided guidance for
self-help. During that period, I came to experience how open and innovative these women were. It was a lot
of fun to work with them and a lot of good came out of it.
Did links between the issues of “gender roles” and “environmentalism” already exist
back then?
The women definitely called for an integration of environmental aspects into the planning process. I still
vividly recall the first visions that we designed for the squat, a very well rounded concept, even from a
contemporary point of view. We could not implement all of it, but we at least installed Berlin’s very first
solar-powered water heater on an apartment building – which is still in operation today.
Did you, by providing guidance to this women’s project, also gain experiences with the
education and training sector?
Yes, I did go on to work at the Technical University of Berlin, where we carried out vocational projects
for women in the area of ecology and eco-technology. From this emerged the association “LIFE – Frauen

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entwickeln Ökotechnik” (Women Develop Eco-technology), which is now running an eco-technological training
center for women in Berlin-Mitte. The organisation aims at motivating women to go into professions related
to natural sciences and technology, especially in the growing field of eco-technology. It is no secret that Germany
trails behind most other countries when it comes to the proportion of women in technical professions
and academic programs.
EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
However, the proportion of women in environmental technology is much higher than in other
engineering programs. Why is that?
This is interesting indeed, and it clearly shows that women are in fact interested in technology, provided
that it is meaningful. Environmental issues are a characteristic part of this orientation. In direct opposition
to this, energy and process engineering has a very low percentage of women. This is partly related to maledominated
structures and course content, but also to the way in which engineering is taught. Once women
have gone through such courses and finished their degrees, their visions and modes of operation are hardly
different from those of men. We therefore demand to further develop current curricula. What we need today
is a form of energy production that does not focus on technology alone, but broadens its horizon to also
encompass the social impacts of technologies. I am convinced that this comprehensive approach would draw
more women into technology-related professions.
How do you lobby for more gender justice in the political arena?
We at genanet make an effort to make the subject part of the agenda in any negotiation over energy policy,
but it is not an easy task. We lack research data and results to prove that women and men are affected
differently by energy policy and also benefit from them in different ways. This is why we call those that do
research in the energy sector to take gender aspects into account and thus help increase the available data.

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EXAMPLE: CLIMATE AND ENERGY
And what do you wish for when it comes to policy making?
I wish that at some point, the integration of aspects related to gender justice and environmental policy with
all its successes and impediments would be analysed and evaluated. Take the International Conference for
Renewable Energies 2004 in Bonn: genanet was lobbying strongly for the consideration of gender aspects. This
at least led to a 28 per cent proportion of women in the International Steering Committee of the Conference,
which is unusually high for the energy sector. Eventually, at the conference, a small delegation of female experts
from all regions of the world was represented. They managed to make government representatives aware
of the specific situation of women in the energy domain. And governments listened, especially with regard to
the situation of women in developing countries.
We made an influential ally, Germany’s Minister for Development Cooperation, Ms Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.
Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the Conference, the input that these women gave has had hardly any
impact on policy formulation. This must be pursued.
What do you wish for, what are your demands regarding gender mainstreaming?
I wish for the consideration of gender aspects to not only be initiated, but to be permanently continued
and financed, namely in the area of renewable energy. In the future, this will be one of the most important
sectors – including with regard to climate protection. To ignore gender justice in this context is, in my
opinion, not just a shame, but also truly a lost opportunity.
Interview by Dr. Corinna Hölzer, GreenMediaNet.
Printed in: Frauenansichten 2007. Ein Lesekalender zu den erneuerbaren Energien. (Women’s perspectives 2007. An almanac
for reading about renewable energies). Published by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and
Nuclear Safety. Berlin 2006. For a free copy, please contact service@bmu.bund.de Reprint of the interview by courtesy of
the Federal Ministry for the Environment.

HIGHLIGHTS
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HIGHLIGHTS
The following introduces some of genanet’s
activities in more detail. These examples
illustrate the way genanet works and how
effective it is.
Gender perspectives – a “blind spot”
genanet impacts the first progress report of
Germany’s National Sustainability Strategy.
“Shaping sustainability is about (…) a fundamental
change in perspective and a broadened focus. Genderrelated
inequalities in the distribution of care work and
wage labour lead to imbalances in the distribution of
power and authority, time budgets, responsibilities and
opportunities. A society in which this is the case can
never be a sustainable society.”
Hofmeister, Sabine; Weller, Ines: National sustainability strategies –
‘blind spots’ from and for gender perspectives. In: Biesecker, Adelheid;
Elsner, Wolfram; Grenzdörffer, Klaus (Ed.): Bremen discussion
papers on institutional economy and socio-economy. Bremen 2004.
(in German)
In 2003/2004, genanet started off by directing its attention
towards the German National Sustainability Strategy.
The timing was fortuitous, as Germany’s Federal Government
was preparing the first progress report of the Sustainability
Strategy, which was to be published in October
2004. During the lead-up, the government invited important
social groups to participate in a dialogue process,
among others genanet.

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HIGHLIGHTS
In this consultation process, genanet published position
papers on environmental issues central to the Sustainability
Strategy. With these considerable contributions,
genanet helped to ensure that gender aspects were included
in debates. genanet organized a conference on the
Strategy, which doubled as the kick-off event of genanet.
➤ To see genanet’s statement concerning the progress
report of the German Sustainability Strategy, see
(in German only)
http://www.genanet.de/positionen.html
National Sustainability Strategy
On April 17, 2002, the Federal Government
of Germany took a decision on the National
Sustainability Strategy “Perspectives for
Germany”: every two years, the goals and
indicators mapped out in the Strategy are subjected
to a monitoring process. In 2004, the
government passed its first progress report of
the Strategy, in which it analysed its policies
of the previous two years as they related to
different aspects of sustainability and defined
further steps for sustainable development. The
Sustainability Strategy is a point of orientation
and a guideline for all governmental and
social actors as they work towards sustainable
development.
Position papers: In cooperation with experts from different
subject areas, genanet issued position papers on
the topics of renewable energy, climate protection, biodiversity,
land use, mobility, agriculture, education for sustainability
and development policy. Firstly, the position
papers evaluate the respective environmental issue from a
gender perspective. This is followed by proposals on how
gender aspects can be integrated into the position papers
of environmental associations. All papers support political
advocacy and serve to circulate information on gender
justice in different areas of the environment.
➤ The position papers – in German only – can be
accessed via the Internet.
See http://www.genanet.de/positionen.html
Topics: Mobility, renewable energy, climate protection,
agriculture and food, biodiversity, land use, development
policy, the potential of the elderly, demographic
change, education for sustainable development

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HIGHLIGHTS
Conference: On February 18, 2004, genanet hosted its
first conference and kick-off event in Berlin: „Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie!
Eine nachhaltige Strategie für Geschlechtergerechtigkeit?“
(Sustainability Strategy! A sustainable
strategy for gender justice?). The freshly compiled position
papers were up for discussion, focussing on four issues:
renewables, land use, alternative fuel, and the potential of
the elderly. Some 70 environmental and gender experts
took part. Among them were several delegates of associations,
political and administrative institutions, representatives
of the Federal Ministry for the Environment and the
Ministry of Transport, as well as the German Council for
Sustainable Development. The participants demanded that
genanet seized stronger political influence, including all
the way up to the Federal Chancellor’s Office.
➤ For a report of the conference (in German only),
have a look at http://www.genanet.de/berichte.html
Dialogue and networking: genanet participated in the
consultation process that accompanied the revision of
the National Sustainability Strategy, thereby ensuring
that gender issues and concerns would be an integral part
of the discussions. In this way, genanet not only gained
an opportunity to impact the content of the Strategy,
but also extended its networking activities that link
gender and sustainability experts and increased its level
of visibility.
➤ genaStudy 1: Positions regarding the national
sustainability strategy from a gender perspective.
Frankfurt/Main 2004.
Download (in German only):
http://www.genanet.de/publikationen.html

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HIGHLIGHTS
“Renewable energy has come of age – were women just good enough to nurture it in its infancy?”
genanet at the International Conference for Renewable Energies
“Renewable energy has come of age – were women just
good enough to nurture it in its infancy?” This question
was asked in 1994 by a woman wind power expert, Rosemarie
Rübsamen. During the early debates on renewable
energy, women were at the forefront – particularly in local
initiatives against nuclear energy. However, as renewable
energy became more established, more traditional patterns
prevailed.
Even though genanet is active primarily in Germany,
it is also involved in the international arena, such as
the International Conference for Renewable Energies
(renewables2004), which took place in Bonn 2004.
Which aspects of renewable energy are gender sensitive?
How can the interests of both women and men be met
better in this subject area? Taking a closer look at the
Conference, further specific questions came up: What
was the proportion of women to men at renewables2004?
A conference can only be conceptualised in a genderequitable
way if there is a relatively balanced ratio of
women and men in all planning, considerations of content
and presentations. It also requires that gender experts are
included and consulted. Joining forces with other experts,
genanet already advocated on these issues during the
preliminary stages of preparations for the Conference.
It was a success that on the International Steering Committee,
there were 28 per cent women, an unusually high
number in the energy sector, though on the National
Advisory Committee, the proportion of women was only
18 per cent. genanet established definitive benchmarks
for the content of the conference by issuing a thematic
background paper titled “Gender Equity and Renewable
Energies”, and by its involvement in the Multi-Stakeholder-
Dialogue via the Stakeholder Group “Women”.
renewables2004
renewables2004 dealt with one central issue:
How can the share of modern renewable energy
be significantly increased in industrial and
developing nations and how can renewables’
potentials and advantages be harnessed more
effectively? 3.600 participants came to Bonn,
among them government delegations with ministers
of energy, environment and development,
as well as representatives of the United Nations
and other international organisations, nongovernmental
organisations, civil society and
the private sector.

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HIGHLIGHTS
Giving impetus: genanet’s expertise has made its way
into the contents of the conference, which is exemplified
particularly well by the thematic background paper on
“Gender Equity and Renewable Energies” that was coauthored
by an associate of genanet. The background paper
was distributed at the Conference, remains accessible
via the website of the Conference, and has been published
in a book about renewables2004.
➤ Thematic background paper “Gender Equity and
Renewable Energies” can be accessed on
http://www.renewables2004.de/pdf/tbp/
TBP12-gender.pdf
Taking a stand: In the run-up to the Conference, genanet
issued a statement in cooperation with other experts that
pointed out the fact that gender as a topic was grossly
underrepresented at renewables2004, both structurally
and substantially. This was not only evidenced by the still
relatively low percentage of women in the International
Steering Committee and the National Advisory Committee,
but also by an exclusive focus that limited gender aspects
to the situation of women in developing countries. This
statement was forwarded to the relevant ministries and
then discussed in a variety of ways, for instance at the
international workshop “Roadmap to Renewables” which
was organised by the German NGO Forum on Environment
and Development, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and the
WWF.
➤ Position papers for renewables2004:
http://www.genanet.de/positionen.html?&L=1
Advocacy: As part of the Stakeholder Group “Women”,
genanet participated in the one-day Multi-Stakeholder-
Dialogue on the opening day of the conference, where
stakeholder groups were invited to contribute their experiences
and suggestions. The daily meetings of the
Stakeholder Group “Women” offered a forum for intensive
discussions that prepared the ground for further advocacy
activities that drew attention to gender issues, ensuring
their firm representation in the political declaration of
the Conference.
➤ To read the position statement of the Stakeholder
Group “Women”, have a look at
http://www.genanet.de/positionen.html?&L=1

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HIGHLIGHTS
➤ You can access all nine questions and the
parties’ statements here (in German only):
http://www.genanet.de/wahlpruefsteine.html
Gender justice in environmental and sustainability
policy – who will place the highest bid?
genanet develops benchmarks for the German
Parliamentary Elections 2005
When German Parliamentary Elections were to be held
earlier than anticipated in 2005, genanet immediately
reacted: With the slogan “Women take their choice!
Women decide!”, nine questions dealing with gender
justice were developed and sent to the top candidates of
the five parties represented in the Parliament (Bundestag).
This was a unique service provided by genanet that drew
the attention of interested women and men to an issue
that should be focused on during election campaigns. By
providing voters with summaries of the responses, it was
demonstrated how each party was involved with gender
justice and how they intended to put these goals into action
– especially where environmental policy, sustainable
operation and management, or consumer protection were
concerned. Even though this is often not readily recognisable
in the daily business of politics, the parties surveyed
in fact report their commitment to the principles of gender
justice and sustainability, with subtle but distinct degrees
of difference.

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In the future, how do you intend to promote gender mainstreaming so that it will become
firmly established in the area of environment and sustainable development?
HIGHLIGHTS
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➤➤➤
➤➤➤
CDU (Christian Democratic Union): CDU and CSU recognize the equality of women and men as a consistent
guiding principle. We want to actively engage in this mission by means of the gender mainstreaming
strategy. In this regard, it may make sense to implement a testing method by which the relevance of
gender in environmental policy can be better highlighted than has been the case. This must be done by
first checking each project for its gender relevance.
SPD (Social Democratic Party): The Sustainability Strategy of the Federal Government headed by the SPD
explicitly provides for equal participation of men and women. The Federal Government has committed
itself to incorporate gender-specific aspects into all policy areas, following the principles of gender mainstreaming.
This commitment has been included in the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries.
The Agenda 21 offers a chance for women to initiate social change through their participation and
consultation.
Bündnis90/Die Grünen (Green Party): Gender mainstreaming is not only one of our guiding principles,
but also a method to integrate a gender-specific approach into all political fields, concepts and processes.
Ultimately, it should be recognized as an integral component of decision-making. Using the cabinet decision
on gender mainstreaming and the constitution of the Interministerial Working Group (IMA) as a point
of departure, the Federal Ministry for the Environment has introduced gender mainstreaming into all its
divisions and initiated a pilot project.
FDP (Free Democratic Party): Gender mainstreaming should become an integral process for the development
in every area of policy. By strategically aligning all social endeavours with the living conditions and
interests of both genders, the impact of both political and administrative projects will be increased.
Linkspartei.PDS (Left Party, formerly Party of Democratic Socialism): Die Linkspartei.PDS views gender
mainstreaming as a fundamental concept that must be applied in all areas of politics. Decisions regarding
different areas of life often impact men and women in different ways – whether it is in employment and
health policy, or even in transport policy and climate protection. Moreover, we dedicate ourselves to the
improvement of women’s representation in all areas of society.

20
20 Jahre Tschernobyl
Frauen aktiv gegen Atomenergie –
wenn aus Wut Visionen werden
HIGHLIGHTS
➤ The richly illustrated book of 196 pages book was
published at BoD, ISBN 3-8334-4592-0. It can be
ordered from genanet or in bookstores for 19.90 Euro
(in German only).
that nuclear fallout was contaminating large regions in
Europe? How did this worst-case scenario change their
lives? What was their assessment of risk technology today?
genanet / Ulrike Röhr (Hg.)
20 years Chernobyl
Women active against nuclear energy –
from rage to visions
On April 26, 1986, the world's worst nuclear power plant
accident occurred at Chernobyl in the former USSR. In
reaction to the disaster, many groups by the name of
“Mothers Against Nuclear Power” were created throughout
Germany, unanimously proclaiming that “Chernobyl
changed our lives”.
Call for contributions: 20 years later, genanet wanted to
find out how far-reaching these changes have turned out
to be. Using a postcard-campaign and ads in newspapers
and on the Internet, genanet asked women to write about
their personal memories of the time following the nuclear
power plant accident. How did they react when they heard
Publication: A selection of the reactions to the call for
contributions was compiled in a book: “20 years Chernobyl.
Women active against nuclear energy – from rage to
visions.” Further contributions have been published on a
Chernobyl-webside that was designed specifically for this
purpose. The book features deeply personal memories of
uncertainty and rage, reports on resistance now and then,
projects and visions in response to the accident, analyses
of current nuclear policy and women’s attitudes towards it.
The articles report about the situation in Germany and Europe,
but also about the touching experiences of women
in the place where the catastrophe took place: in the
Ukraine, in Belarus, in Russia.
Review by Ulrike Baureithel, published in the weekly newspaper
“Freitag” April 21, 2006: “As one woman activist put
it, ‘once the danger is no longer tangible, it is quickly forgotten’.
This experience is shared by many who continued
to involve themselves with the environmental movement
or even tried to take this involvement to a professional
level. As pointed out in the […] non-retrospective part
of the book, the hardest part only begins after the obvious
hurdles have been taken.

21
HIGHLIGHTS
This is illustrated best by the un-written article by engineer
and critic of technology Rosemarie Rübsamen. In her
e-mail to the editor she tells about the struggles of a female
CEO who operates in a male-dominated world of technology
and economy while campaigning for renewable energy.
The visions born of rage have made their way down
to the hassles of every-day business. Not a bad record considering
that in the beginning this was about women who
‘just’ feared for their children.”
➤ For additional information and English translation of
articles visit www.genanet.de/tschernobyl.html?&L=1
genanet presented the book at a press conference in Munich,
together with Mothers Against Nuclear Power and
WECF – Women in Europe for a Common Future. One of the
authors present on that day was Russian liquidator Natalia
Manzurova, whose fate is also recounted in the book.
Cooperation with Women’s Associations: This book was
but one part of various co-productions created by many
politically involved women. Women’s associations like the
“German Council for Women” or “Women in Science and
Technology” were inspired by the call for contributions. In
the newsletters appearing close to the 20th commemoration
of the Chernobyl disaster, they placed an emphasis on
related topics. In addition to assisting in the planning of
these publications, genanet authored some of the articles
and wrote the lead story.
➤ Download of index and lead story of the magazine
“FrauenRat” (in German only):
http://www.frauenrat.de/files/publication/
107_144242121_9999/Aufmacher0206.pdf
International campaigns: A selection of articles from the
book was published in an English-language brochure. It
was distributed at the 14th session of the UN Commission
on Sustainable Development, which was held at UN Headquarters
in New York in 2006, focusing on sustainable energy
supply. At an event hosted by genanet during the
Commission session, representatives from the US, Ukraine
and Germany discussed the unresolved issues and risks of
nuclear energy. They further debated the maintenance of
energy supply through sustainable alternatives that simultaneously
serve to protect the climate.
➤ Download of English-language brochure:
www.genanet.de/tschernobyl.html?&L=1
➤ For reports of the 14th and 15th session of the UN
Commission on Sustainable Development and the
conference, have a look at
www.genanet.de/csd14+15.html?&L=1

22
SERVICES
SERVICES
genanet works to enhance networking among
gender experts, support institutions and
organisations with the goal to integrate gender
issues into their work, and help find speakers
and consultants on general or specific gender
mainstreaming issues in environment and
sustainability. Via its website, www.genanet.de,
genanet provides comprehensive information
that is continuously updated, improved and
enlarged. In the future, an even stronger focus
will be placed on providing information for the
media and the general public.
genanet 's services include:
➤ an information pool comprising:
• research results
• literature
• experts
• background information
• discussion pointers
• position papers
➤ seminars and conferences on current issues
➤ genaNews, a quarterly newsletter containing the latest
information on research projects, conferences, political
developments, campaigns and initiatives
➤ permanent and ad hoc discussion forums and working
groups
➤ advice and help with strategies to implement gender
mainstreaming or to integrate gender issues into a
specific environment-related topic
➤ public relations and media work

PRODUCTS
23
PRODUCTS
During the past three years, genanet has cooperated with
its networking partners to create extensive informational
materials: flyers, articles, position papers and statements,
as well as scientific studies. Here is a choice of our
products.
Publications and articles in professional journals
MINU HEMMATI, ULRIKE RÖHR: A huge challenge and a
narrow discourse. Ain’t no space for gender in climate
change policy? In: Women & Environments international
magazine No. 74/5, 2007. (in English)
ULRIKE RÖHR: Gender and climate change – a forgotten
issue? In: tiempo #59, September 2006. (in English)
genanet/Ulrike Röhr (ed.): Women active against nuclear
energy – from rage to visions. 20 years Chernobyl.
BoD Norderstedt 2006. (partly available in English)
ULRIKE RÖHR, IRMGARD SCHULTZ, GUDRUN SELTMANN,
IMMANUEL STIEß: Climate policy and gender.
Identification of potential gender impacts of the
European emissions trading System. ISOE-Discussionpaper
21. Frankfurt/Main 2004. (partly available
in English)
ULRIKE RÖHR: Renewable energy – renewed gender
relations? The balky dismantling of fossil structures.
In: politische ökologie 87/88, oekom Verlag,
München 2004. (in German only)
ANJA BECKER: Gender justice in agriculture – tilling an
old field with new methodologies. In: Unabhängige
Bauernstimme, Hamm, September 2005. (in German
only)
ANJA BECKER: From rainforests to home gardens in the
black forest. Gender in the biodiversity debates. In:
politische ökologie 91/92, oekom Verlag, München
2004. (in German only)
genaStudies
In the series “genaStudies”, genanet publishes surveys
and expert research on gender aspects of various environmental
subjects, such as gender in air pollution and
noise protection, education for sustainable development,
and the privatisation of water and energy supply,
among others.
➤ To date, nine studies have been published
(in German only). Download them here:
http://www.genanet.de/publikationen.html

24
PARTNERS
PARTNERS
The Working Group “Women“ of the German Forum Environment
and Development was one of the driving forces behind
creating genanet. The women most active in the
Working Group are also members of genanet’s Advisory
Committee.
genanet cooperates with numerous institutions and organisations,
e.g. the Climate Alliance of European Cities,
DNR – Deutscher Naturschutzring (German League for
Nature Protection), or the University of Lüneburg, to
jointly promote gender mainstreaming in environmental
and sustainability policy.
At the European level, we cooperate with WECF – Women
in Europe for a Common Future. Moreover, genanet is
a member of EPWS – the European Platform for Women
Scientists, and of CAN – the Climate Action Network
Europe.
In the international arena, we partner with ENERGIA,
the Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, and
WEDO – Women's Environment and Development Organisation,
among others.
Cooperation
Agenda-Transfer, Bonn • CAN – Climate Action Network Europe, Brussels • Climate Alliance of European Cities • DNR – Deutscher
Naturschutzring (German League for Nature Protection), Berlin/Bonn • ENERGIA – Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, Leusden,
Netherlands • Energy Seminar (Energieseminar), Technical University, Berlin • Environment Agency of Basel, Switzerland • FAO –
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome • Federal Environment Agency of Germany, Dessau • Federal Ministry for the
Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany • German NGO Forum on Environment and Development, Bonn •
Free University, Berlin • GenderCompetenceCenter, Humboldt University, Berlin • German Council for Women, Berlin • G/I/S/A –
Gender-Institute Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg • Green MediaNet, Berlin • Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin • INFORSE – International Network
for Sustainable Energy, Denmark • International Women’s Center, Bonn • ISOE – Institute for Socio-ecological Research, Frankfurt/Main •
KfW – Promotional Bank for Reconstruction, Frankfurt/Main • KnollSzalai – Landscape Planning and Management Consultancy, Vienna,
Austria • Men-focused Work of the Evangelical Church of Germany • Ministry of Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer
Protection, North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf • Marie Schlei Association, Hamburg • Mothers Against Nuclear Energy, Munich •
NUT e.V. – Women in Science and Technology, Berlin • oekom Verlag, Munich • Petra Kelly Foundation, Munich • Research Centre Jülich •
Green Parliamentary Group of the Parliament of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf • Thematic Network Sustainability
Strategy • UNIFEM Germany, Bonn • University of Bremen • University of Lüneburg • WECF – Women in Europe for a Common Future,
Utrecht • WEDO – Women’s Environment and Development Organisation, New York • WEN – Women’s Environmental Network, London •
WGGAN – Women’s Green Global Action Network, Berkeley • WOCAN – Women Organising for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource
Management, New York • WOMNET/NGO – Women's Forum, Bonn • Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy

25
“It is not about ‘getting a piece of the pie’
in its present form, but rather about trying a
new recipe.”
Jens Janson, Consultant for the work with men
of the Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD)
PARTNERS
Jens Janson is taking our call at his home phone. He works
part-time and is taking care of his eight-months old son.
He holds a masters degree in theology and has for five
years been working with men in the EKD in Kassel – the
largest “Men’s Organisation” in Germany. He came to our
attention when invitations to a conference on rural areas
arrived at our office. We have asked him how men-focused
work came to make the connection between gender and
sustainability and how this connection was filled with
substance. Jens Janson recounts: “My interest was sparked
by a question that occurred in the congress summary of
‘Gender Relations, the Environment and Sustainability’ in
2002. It read: ‘Are men sustainable?’” He continues:
“It confirmed to me that our new project in the area of
‘Rural Evangelical Forum’ was really necessary. The project
aimed at linking the gender perspective with ‘Justice,
Peace, Safeguarding Creation’ – in a manner of speaking,
the church view of sustainable development.” The menfocused
work wants to reflect upon the question how the
handling of natural resources is partly influenced by a specific
view of masculinity. It regards gender mainstreaming
as an opportunity to reform social circumstances in their
entirety.
I want to know if this does also means that men have to
effectively “give away power”. Jens Janson agrees but he
is convinced that gender mainstreaming should not only
be directed at the obviously disadvantaged. Change will
only happen if men take part in this process and if they
are specifically targeted. That is why men-focused work
gives importance to a gender mainstreaming process that
starts off by focussing on the interests, which it then
seeks to balance. This leads to the question which changes
must be made regarding power structures and role assignments.
“In my opinion, it is not an issue about eliminating
disadvantages in the current social order. It is not about
‘getting a piece of the pie’ in its present form, but rather
about trying a new recipe” says the 38-year-old.
Currently, he is trying to integrate the male perspective
into church practice and the sustainability discourse.
When asked about his own vision, he hesitates: “I cannot
tell just yet what such a society may look like. When social
structures and personal attitudes change in the process,
we might come to completely new goals. I do believe that
different aspects of the multitude of things that make up
our entire existence will always be assigned and socially
transmitted to one gender or another. But it should happen
in a way that everybody is comfortable with.”
➤ published in genaNews Nr. 1/05, Author: Anja Becker
➤ For further information on men-focused work of the
EKD, see www.maennerarbeit-ekd.de

26
CHRONICLE
CHRONICLE
A choice of events from the first project phase (July 2003 – June 2006) which genanet
either organised or participated in.
2003
September 23
November 5 – 7
2004
January 22
March 4
February 18
March 30/31 and May 3
April 17
June 1 – 4
Exchange of experience and information with regard to gender mainstreaming
and environmental policy at the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Berlin.
Theme: renewable energy.
Gender Mainstreaming and Conservation. genanet introduces itself at the
Conference of the Federal Environment Agency of Germany.
A representative of genanet participates in the Discourse on Sustainability and
Society hosted by the Council for Sustainable Development and the Institute for
Organisational Communication (IFOK )
Conference on the National Sustainability Strategy as genanet’s kick-off event in
Berlin: “Sustainability strategy! A sustainable strategy for gender justice?”
Trainings on gender mainstreaming in respective environmental sectors at the
Ministry of Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection,
North Rhine-Westphalia
International Women’s Fair in Bonn: facilitating the panel on sustainability, with
Bärbel Dieckmann, Mayor of Bonn, and Bärbel Höhn, Minister of Environment of
North Rhine-Westphalia
“renewables2004” in Bonn: participation in the Multi-Stakeholder-Dialogue,
organisation of a workshop on gender and renewable energy in cooperation with
ENERGIA

27
CHRONICLE
May 20 – 23
July 30 – August 5
October 11 – 13
October 22
November 5
December 6 – 17
December 9
2005
January 26
January 19 – 20
Workshop on “Environmental Justice and Gender Justice” at a “Women in Science
and Technology” Congress in Winterthur, Switzerland
Working group “Gender relations and sustainability – between alternatives and
appropriation” at the Attac Summer Academy in Dresden, in cooperation with the
Women’s Working Group, German Forum Environment and Development
genanet participates with a small delegation in the first “Global Women’s Assembly
on Environment: Women as the Voice for the Environment (WAVE)” of United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi, Kenya
Cooperation with the Center for Technology and Society at the Technical University
Berlin: workshop on gender und climate protection
Expert workshop on Chapter K (Women and Environment) of the Beijing Platform
for Action on the occasion of “Peking+10”
10th UN Climate Conference in Buenos Aires: side event on gender and climate
protection, interview with the Argentinean edition of the women’s magazine
ELLE
Expert talk of the Federal Ministry for the Environment for the evaluation
of the process to develop the Sustainability Strategy progress report
Lectures on energy and biodiversity at the strategic workshop for the “Gender
Greenstreaming” project of the DNR
Workshop on biodiversity and bio fuel/energy in cooperation with the Women’s
Working Group, German NGO Forum on Environment and Development

28
CHRONICLE
January 22 – 23
February 25
March 8 – 9, April 27 and
September 1
March 17
April 14–15
May 4
May 5–8
June 3
Congress of the Ministry for the Environment of North Rhine-Westphalia
“Sustainable and fair. Gender mainstreaming in federal and state ministries”:
lecture and workshop “Gender mainstreaming – experiences with its implementation
in environmental protection”
Final workshop of the project “Climate for Change – Gender Equality and Climate
Change Policy” of the Climate Alliance, to which genanet provided expert input
on gender
Development of a national biodiversity strategy: participation in expert talks and
commentary on the strategy from a gender perspective
“Peking+10. 10 years after the 4th World Conference on Women: Women
between Globalisation and Neo-conservatism”: Workshop “Women/Gender &
Environment: Many achievements but no gain?“ and participation in the panel
discussions
At the Stakeholder-Forum for the European Sustainability Strategy organised by
the Council of the Regions, genanet hosts a discussion on gender aspects in the
European Sustainability Strategy.
Presentation on gender and climate protection at the meeting with the State
Secretary of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Margareta Wolf
Congress of Women in Science and Technology in Bremen: Facilitated a panel
discussion on chemical policy and a workshop on gender aspects in energy
and climate protection policy
Gender-workshop in the framework of the 20th anniversary of the Energy Seminar
(Energieseminar), Technical University Berlin

29
CHRONICLE
August 10
August 31
October 9
November 28 –
December 9
December 8
2006
April 19
May 1-12
May 17
Summer 2006
Strategic workshop on gender and climate protection with selected experts at the
Federal Ministry for the Environment
Lecure “Global Environmental Changes – Results and (Re-)Actions” at a series of
lectures organised by Womnet in Bonn
Panel “Gender Mainstreaming, or Utopias for a Different Environment?” in the
framework of the international congress “Femme Globale” of the Heinrich Böll
Foundation
11th UN Climate Conference in Montreal, Canada: information desk, workshop,
women’s meetings, presentation at the “Climate Talks”, statement in the final
plenary.
Presentation and discussion of the gender perspective on climate protection at the
meeting of the Global Network of Women Environment Ministers, Montreal, Canada
Press conference on the 20th remembrance day of Chernobyl together with
“Mothers against Nuclear Power” and WECF in Munich
14th Session of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD 14) in New
York: Member of the German delegation, workshop on gender and nuclear energy
Lecure and discussion at the Department of Energy and Environment, Basel,
Swizerland “Solidarity in the Greenhouse: Gender Justice and Climate Protection”
The continuation of genanet is secured beyond the first three years.

30
ADVISORY BOARD
ADVISORY BOARD
During the first three years of its existence, genanet was guided in its work by an external Advisory Board,
which supported the establishment of genanet and cooperated with its members in setting strategic goals.
Thomas Claus, G/I/S/A – Gender-Institute Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg
Helga Inden-Heinrich, DNR – German League for Nature Protection, Bonn
Christiana Jasper, Federal Environment Agency of Germany, Dessau
Anne Jenter, Federal Board of Directors, German Federation of Trade Unions, Berlin
Gisa Klönne, Journalist and Author, Bonn
Annekathrin Linck, Heinrich Böll Foundation (2003 – 2004), Berlin
Andrea Meyer, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Berlin
Christa Randzio-Plath, Member of the European Parliament, Hamburg
Dr. Irmgard Schultz, ISOE – Institute for Socio-ecological Research, Frankfurt
Prof. Dr. Ines Weller, University of Bremen, Bremen
Renate Windeck, KfW – Promotional Bank for Reconstruction, Frankfurt/Main

IMPRINT AND PICTURE CREDITS
Picture credits:
E.Schall/photocase: title left, page 16 left
LIFE: title middle, page 11, 12, 15 left,
16 right, 28 left, 29
GTZ, Günter/Ostermeier: title right, page 8 right
Umweltbundesamt: page 3
bigfoto.com: page 4, 14 top
photocase.de: page 5
G. Alber: page 6 right, 9
Nasa: page 6 left
IISD/ ENB-Leila Mead: page 7
Seitenpfad: page 8
www.enrico-verworner.de: page 10
Stock.XPERT: 13, 24
pixelquelle.de: 14 bottom, 17, 25
Climate Alliance: 15 right, 28 right
G. Hirth: page 18 right
Stock.XCHNG: page 18 left, 22, 23, 27
Mothers against Nuclear Power Stuttgart: page 21 left
G. Crivelli: page 21 right
genanet –
focal point gender | environment | sustainability
LIFE e. V. | Dircksenstraße 47 | 10178 Berlin | Germany
Fon +49.(0)30.30 87 98 – 31/35
Fax +49.(0)30.30 87 98 – 20
leitstelle@genanet.de | www.genanet.de
Editorial: Anja Wirsing, Ulrike Röhr
Supported by: Kyra Morawietz, Julika Schmitz
Translation: Desiree Zwanck, Minu Hemmati
Print: Chmielorz GmbH, Nordenstadt
Design: designbüro drillich, Wiesbaden
genanet gratefully acknowedges the financial support provided
by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Environment
Agency of Germany.
The supporters shall not guarantee the accuracy, validity or
integrity of the information, nor take the private rights of third
parties into consideration. The views and opinions expressed in
this publication are not necessarily the same as the supporters’.

Designing environmental and sustainability policy in a way that does not strain gender
relations, neither privileging women or men nor discriminating against women or men –
that’s the objective of genanet – focal point gender, environment, sustainability. genanet
not only contributes to gender justice, but also to a more efficient environmental policy.
What steps has genanet taken to achieve this goal? This brochure features highlights of
genanet’s activities and achievements from 2004 to 2006.
genanet is run by
nominal charge Euro 2,50