Volume 2, Number 1
October 1996
New Publications
The SARSA/ECOGEN project at Clark University has produced for USAID a Manual for Socio-Economic and Gender Analysis (SEGA): Tools for Change. The manual is made up of four parts. Part 1 presents an approach for bringing priority groups into a development process, emphasizing both equity and empowerment. The approach is illustrated with a case from India involving SARTHI, an organization working with rural women. Part 2 presents 40 tools that will enable the researcher or development professional to incorporate disadvantaged groups more effectively in processes of gathering data, as well as designing, implementing, and evaluating projects. The tools are organized around components of the project cycle and include examples and notes to facilitators as well as general directions. Part 3 offers ten scenarios from a variety of nongovernmental organ-izations working toward socioeconomic change for disadvantaged groups. The topics vary widely and include situations involving disaster relief, land use management, AIDS research, health care, marketing networks, and political alliances. The fourth section contains some suggestions for measuring the effective-ness of the SEGA approach and recommends some bibliographic materials for use in the evaluation process. The manual is coauthored by Barbara Thomas-Slayter, International Development Program Director at Clark University; Rachel Polestic, Director of the Appropriate Technology Center and Assistant Director of the South-east Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute at Xavier University in the Philippines; Andrea Esser of Catholic Relief Service in Hanoi; Octavia Taylor, Research Associate at Clark University; and Elvina Mutua, Founder of Tototo Home Industries in Mombassa. The manual is available through Clark University/ID Publications Office for a cost of US$15, plus shipping ($3/copy). Make inquiries to: ID Publications, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester MA 01601 USA. Tel: (508) 793-7527, Fax: (508) 793-8820.
Heyzer, Noeleen, 1996. Gender, Population and Environ-ment in the Context of Deforestation : A Malaysian Case Study (APDC/UNRISD).
This monograph documents the impact of top-down planning on women and communities. Macrolevel forestry policies have had differing microlevel impacts on various communities in Sarawak. Common to all is a change in livelihoods as a result of a loss of entitlements to land, forest, and water resources. The social and economic consequences of this form of development have been the creation of new patterns of wealth and poverty. Environmental degradation has serious consequences for the livelihoods of indigenous people who rely on natural resources for food and shelter. Women are particularly affected in the context of environmental degradation and loss of community control over resources. This study of gender, population, and environment in Sarawak outlines the interlinkages between environment, population and development, and women's reproductive and productive choices. Copies are available from Noreen de Souza (gad@pc.jaring.my) at Gender and Development (GAD) Programme, 7th Floor, APDC Bldg., Pesiaran Duta, P.O. Box 12224, 50770 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Price: US$20, plus postage.
