GENDER EQUITY AND MARINE CONSERVATION IN CORAL REEF SOCIO- ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: An Investigation on the Implications of Coral Reef and Marine Degradation and Gender Inequity in the Solomon Islands
Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Dean, Erin
Area of Concentration
Environmental Studies
Abstract
Coastal communities are socio-ecological systems that often rely on coral reefs and marine ecosystems for resident livelihoods and economic services, and often these ecosystems shape various cultural attributes of communities (Lau & Ruano-Chamorro 2021). The current threatened, stressed ecological condition of coral reefs and coastal degradation threatens these socio-ecological systems, which consequently may cause inflated gender inequities (Lau & Ruano-Chamorro 2021). Social and ecological changes are inequitably distributed between men and women, where men have a higher adaptive capacity than women do in regards to system shocks (de la Torre-Castro et al. 2017; Lau et al. 2021; Cohen et al. 2016). When approaching issues of gender inequity and social exclusion exacerbated by coral reef and marine degradation in coastal communities, the trend in current literature reflects the importance of pursuing a gender transformative approach (GTA) which utilizes policies and programs to change inequitable gender norms and relations to advance gender equality (Barclay et al. 2021; Lawless et. al 2015). In this thesis, I analyze current research on the intersection of gender, coral reef degradation, and conservation and apply available analysis tools to critique intervention initiatives, using the Solomon Islands as a case study. While some policies, programs, and livelihood initiatives attempt to incorporate gender considerations and livelihood sex-disaggregated data, more deliberation at the institutional, community, and family level is necessary to ensure effective implementation so that current gender inequities are not reinforced.
Recommended Citation
Fugett, Telle, "GENDER EQUITY AND MARINE CONSERVATION IN CORAL REEF SOCIO- ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: An Investigation on the Implications of Coral Reef and Marine Degradation and Gender Inequity in the Solomon Islands" (2022). Theses & ETDs. 6225.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6225