The workshop was held in Panama City and included three training sessions.
- Session one focused on tools and techniques to integrate a gender approach into project activities, followed by an interactive exercise to develop wildlife attitude surveys.
- In session two, participants discussed and shared knowledge on potential approaches to working with communities that are wary of gender equality and women's empowerment in wildlife conservation.
- In session three, participants engaged in an interactive reflection about the importance of integrating gender into wildlife conservation projects.
The workshop also included a visit to project sites in Metetí, Darién, where women farmers were pioneers in incorporating jaguar protection measures as part of their farm work. Participants held discussions with three women leaders on the benefits and observed impacts of adopting sustainable management plans on cattle ranches, and women's participation in jaguar conservation efforts.
The workshop was attended by delegates from three GWP projects in Belize, Ecuador, and Panama in the LAC region, as well as members of the GWP Panama Project’s Gender Advisory Board (representatives from government, academia, women’s organizations, private sector, and community organizations).
Key takeaways include:
- There are various tools and approaches available to improve gender integration in conservation project activities. Conducting a structured and gendered analysis through the wildlife attitude survey, and implementing specific gender actions to engage communities more comprehensively are two examples.
- In some cases, projects may encounter resistance to gender equality and integration when engaging with communities. However, there are various strategies and approaches that can help navigate these situations and enhance women's participation in project activities.
- Projects that align healthy human livelihoods with healthy wildlife populations usually produce more effective and meaningful outcomes. Properly conducting wildlife attitude surveys can aid in designing management strategies that account for the specific needs and perspectives of women.
- GWP Project teams in the Latin America and Caribbean region have continuous interest in gender analysis and tools. The GWP will continue to offer technical support, information, and opportunities for knowledge exchange on gender for GWP projects and new GEF-8 projects being developed.
