Africa: Gender and the Environment

Despite considerable rhetoric about gender mainstreaming in development, little has been done in practice. Reasons for this lack of action include lack of understanding of the links between gender and other issues, resistance to the concepts of gender equality and equity as these threaten prevailing structures of power and lack of involvement of civil society and alienation between the political (ruling) class and the people. This is according to a report produced by the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme that outlines some of the major issues related to women and the environment.