12.07.2015 Views

Sustainability Planning and Monitoring

Sustainability Planning and Monitoring

Sustainability Planning and Monitoring

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EFFECT OF THE MPA ON GENDER RELATIONS IN THE COMMUNITYAwareness of commoninterests <strong>and</strong> emergence ofgender cooperationThrough the MPA process, the women ofSewukan became aware that they had a numberof common development problems irrespectiveof their differences in personal <strong>and</strong> socioeconomicbackgrounds. They said that,although they were organized <strong>and</strong> held women’smeetings, they had not previously discussedwomen’s development concerns. In the assemblywhere they presented their findings along withthe men, they stated that they wanted to set upcommittees in each of the six hamlets toparticipate in the design of the new water supply<strong>and</strong> monitor the contractors on the quality ofconstruction. The male leaders supported thisidea stating that, when the work was not donewell, they would use the legal means open tothem to ensure good quality design <strong>and</strong>construction.Building self-confidence <strong>and</strong>loosening hierarchyin the plenary meeting. Presenters acted in pairsof two women or men for mutual support. Theevent started very formally with the leadersopening the meeting using a h<strong>and</strong>-heldmicrophone, which they passed on to thepresenting teams. The first male team used itwith skill <strong>and</strong> confidence. The first woman didnot know how to use it <strong>and</strong> was helped by aman. The second woman closely observed this<strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>led the microphone with moreconfidence. Soon thereafter, discussions becameso lively that the circle broke up, participantsgathered around the outputs from the MPA tools<strong>and</strong> the microphone was forgotten. Asked laterabout whether they could continue to use thetools, the older women were doubtful. Suddenly,a young woman spoke up <strong>and</strong> said that maybeit was not possible for everyone but that shethought she could do so. The facilitator thenconsulted the older women who in thishierarchical society will normally lead while theyoung women sit back. Here again changecould be noted. The older women said thatperhaps they, too, could learn how to use them,but “meanwhile, let the younger women takethe lead.”In the group sessions, women <strong>and</strong> men hadagreed to alternate in presenting their outcomesWomen’s team presenting their assessment resultsat the village meeting140

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