Local realities in South and Southeast Asia show how cultural values and rights of Indigenous Peoples in the exploitation of forest resources have been undermined. The NTFP-EP, in achieving its goals, respects the cultural traditions and values of its partner communities. The NTFP-EP believes that these traditions and values are often embedded in the historical identity of cultural groups, hence, the primary importance of respecting the cultural integrity of its partners.
Strategic Actions
The gender composition of a local forest management group affects forest conservation outcomes. The NTFP-EP strongly takes into consideration the assigned gender roles in its partner communitiesbecause gender roles influence how forests are managed. The NTFP-EP also believes that improving gender relations will ensure equitable benefits and outcomes in its forest conservation, management and community development efforts. The inclusion of women in forestry conservation and enterprise programmes and in embedding women’s rights and a gender equality perspective is an important element to achieving the NTFP-EP’s goals.
However, the NTFP-EP has had no explicit gender indicators targeted in its work programmes and activities. The organization has had limited or no explicit strategies to build gender analysis capacity inhouse to frame its programmes and interventions. The NTFP-EP therefore commits to the following: 1) to address gender issues programmatically; 2) to ensure gender-sensitive and responsive staff in all levels and areas of NTFP-EP’s work; 3) to achieve gender balance of participants in NTFP-EP’s activities; and 4) to include gender equity in decision-making at all levels of intervention and practice, including decision-making at the institutional level.
Strategic Actions