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The SEI Initiative on Gender Equality, Social Equity and Poverty seeks to understand the inter-connections between gender, equity, poverty and sustainability from the lens of power to inform and advance transformative and sustainable development.
Photo: BBH Singapore / Unsplash
2020–2024
Drivers that impede and constrain sustainability and equity are inter-connected and intertwined. In order to support better living conditions of the poor and vulnerable groups around the world, sustainability and equity must be addressed in a joint manner while recognizing the power dynamics that create and sustain conditions of poverty and environmental degradation.
People’s identities and social standings usually mark and layer unequal relations and forms of disadvantage (or privilege) in environmentally stressed contexts. In recent years, there have been calls by the sustainability research community to more systematically explore the links between gender, social equity and justice, power and sustainability. This call for linkages is expressed by recent studies that fundamentally underscore that inequity and unsustainability are produced by dynamics of coupled social-ecological systems that build on power dynamics.
From the early 1990s, the rich feminist literature on intersectionality has drawn our attention to the interlocking and multiple forms of inequities and discriminations experienced by women and men based on their class, race, ethnicity, age, ability, sexuality and other identities. For instance, exclusions of some women are attributed to their multiple identities being poor, rural, uneducated and ethnic minority, as well as being women. While their combined identities appear to marginalize them, attention must be directed however to the dynamic workings of power within institutional, cultural and political economic structures. These workings of power vest people with their identities through discursive means, but which also have material and real-world implications leading to exclusions and marginalization.
In short, intersectional feminist research positions power front and center of the analysis and in this proposed research: what is it about societies, economies, political systems and institutions that create fully or partially excluded groups, what forces maintain them, and what can we do to recognize, examine, problematize, and alter these power dynamics? In response, there are calls for more equitable practices or equity to be accorded to those most marginalized, implying ‘more for those who need it’ not only in material terms, but also in political terms by giving them voice and choice.
Poverty also excludes and marginalizes people. Growing margins of inequality based on gender intersecting with ethnicity, age, race, ability, place and persistent poverty continue and are exacerbated in contexts where environmental stresses are also most felt.
The SEI Initiative on Gender Equality, Social Equity and Poverty seeks to understand the inter-connections between gender, equity, poverty, and sustainability from the lens of power to inform and advance transformative and sustainable development. Through deliberative engagements using innovative approaches with disadvantaged groups and boundary partners, the Initiative aims to support action and change agendas that respond to these issues. The Initiative also supports the integration of gender equality, social equity, and poverty dimensions in SEI research to strengthen SEI’s internal capacity for research for policy that considers these aspects.
The Gender Equality, Social Equity and Poverty (GESEP) Initiative builds on SEI’s existing research on sustainability, equity and gender, and work completed in the previous SEI Gender and Social Equality Programme.
Perspective / A just transition requires respecting social and environmental sustainability and forming inclusive partnerships with local communities.
27 May 2024 / About Finance, Participation, Renewables and Sustainable lifestyles
Perspective / SEI researchers reflect on the Third Annual Menstruation Research Network Conference and share environmental perspectives on menstrual justice.
30 May 2024 / About Sanitation and Sustainable lifestyles
Perspective / Azerbaijan appointed 28 men and zero women to a key group tasked with organising the upcoming climate summit in the country.
19 January 2024 / About Climate policy, Geopolitics, Participation and Public policy
Perspective / Some lessons on policy engagement from environmental defenders for climate and environmental researchers.
27 November 2023 / About Disaster Risk
Media coverage / "None of the G20 nations are on track to achieve equality by 2030”, writes SEI Research Associate Del Duca.
8 September 2023 / About Sustainable Development Goals
Past event / The event explores the complex challenges entwined with gender equality and its integral role in sustainable development.
05 September 2023 / About Participation, Public policy and Sustainable Development Goals
Other publication / To accelerate the SDGs, G20 policies and programmes need to address the manifestations of gender inequality.
18 July 2023 / About Business, Finance and Participation
Other publication / The working paper suggests a novel way of understanding how to catalyze gender-transformative change at scale.
30 November 2023 / About Food and agriculture
Journal article / This paper highlights the role of interface bureaucrats addressing social equity in transport in East Africa.
7 November 2023 / About Transport
Journal article / This research note was published under SOJOURN, an interdisciplinary journal devoted to the study of social and cultural issues in Southeast Asia.
2 October 2023 / About Behaviour and choice and Disaster Risk
Other publication / This protocol will contribute to addressing these gaps by collating and synthesising the terms "Rights of Nature" and “Right to a Healthy Environment”.
11 September 2023 / About Participation
Other publication / Understanding mechanisms that lead to differential impacts of mining on local marginalised social groups is crucial in minimizing such impacts.
11 September 2023 / About Participation
Other publication / To accelerate the SDGs, G20 policies and programmes need to address the manifestations of gender inequality.
18 July 2023 / About Business, Finance and Participation
SEI working paper / This essay provides a history of "poverty thinking" and development and positions current approaches and understandings against this historical background.
3 April 2023 / About Behaviour and choice, Innovation and Sustainable Development Goals
Journal article / This study analyses water access and poverty linkages in Bolivia's Tupiza River Basin.
30 August 2022 / About Food and agriculture, Planning and modelling, Public policy, Sanitation, Water resources and Water-Energy-Food Nexus
SEI brief / This brief discusses ways that researchers can help shift imbalances in Global North-South power relationships in climate and environment research practices.
28 January 2022 / About Adaptation, Behaviour and choice, Climate policy and Participation
Journal article / This study demonstrates how incorporating social factors into water modelling can lead to a more equitable water supply.
19 August 2021 / About Planning and modelling and Water resources
SEI brief / This SEI discussion brief examines the impacts of the pandemic on the deaf, blind and deaf-blind communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
29 June 2021 / About Disaster Risk and Wellbeing
Other publication / This report explores human rights and gender equality in the context of climate change.
22 January 2021 / About Adaptation, Behaviour and choice, Climate policy and Food and agriculture
Other publication / An assessment of progress towards the targets of the Sendai Framework in terms of gender-responsive and disability-inclusiveness.
22 January 2021 / About Adaptation, Climate policy and Disaster Risk
Other publication / This chapter features a conversation with SEI researchers who work to keep gender central in their environment-related studies and policy engagement.
27 November 2020 / About Disaster Risk, Food and agriculture and Participation
Journal article / This article explores how diffusion of low-carbon technologies impacts gender and social equity in intersectional ways and where “greening” projects fall short.
16 October 2020 / About Adaptation, Mitigation, Participation and Renewables
SEI report / How do hydropower projects or forest conservation programmes affect ethnic communities in Asia? New research from Vietnam examines the issue.
7 September 2020 / About Food and agriculture, Forests, Participation, Renewables and Water resources
Perspective / This blog highlights three key takeaways from the Asia Pacific Climate Week 2023.
29 November 2023 / About Adaptation and Climate policy
Perspective / Some lessons on policy engagement from environmental defenders for climate and environmental researchers.
27 November 2023 / About Disaster Risk
Feature / This Q&A sheds light on the links between menstrual health, hygiene and environmental sustainability.
9 October 2023 / About Behaviour and choice, Disaster Risk and Sanitation
Feature / Gain insight into the gendered impacts of energy transitions and how to address them in this Q&A with SEI Research Associate Laura Del Duca.
18 April 2023 / About Climate policy, Energy access, Fossil fuels, Household energy, Mitigation, Participation and Renewables
Feature / SEI Asia researchers share the inspiration to advance gender equality from organizations they have worked with.
13 March 2023 / About Disaster Risk
Perspective / The UN Water Conference should include commitments related to gender and social inclusion, and provide transformative action.
21 February 2023 / About Public policy, Sanitation, Sustainable Development Goals and Water resources
Feature / Farmers in Bolivia are struggling as their water supply becomes increasingly unreliable. Could better models lead to policies that help the most vulnerable?
11 February 2019 / About Food and agriculture, Planning and modelling and Water resources
Feature / Rural communities in Colombia's Campoalegre watershed struggle to meet basic needs. SEI researchers aim to connect them to policymakers to improve their lives.
21 March 2022 / About Business, Climate policy, Climate services, Disaster Risk, Food and agriculture, Land use, Participation, Public policy, Sanitation, Water resources and Wellbeing
Perspective / SEI Asia researchers interviewed three regional partners on women’s experiences with climate change and addressing inequalities.
8 March 2022 / About Adaptation, Climate policy, Disaster Risk and Participation
Perspective / Prioritizing stronger local community participation and gender-equal decision-making can ensure ecological and human dignity in forest conservation in Thailand.
28 January 2022 / About Adaptation, Behaviour and choice, Food and agriculture, Forests, Land use, Mitigation, Participation and Sustainable lifestyles
Perspective / Prioritizing stronger local community participation and gender-equal decision-making can ensure ecological and human dignity in forest conservation in Thailand.
23 February 2022 / About Adaptation, Behaviour and choice, Food and agriculture, Forests, Land use, Mitigation, Participation and Sustainable lifestyles
Perspective / This perspective, originally published by Earth System Governance, lists five ways researchers can help shift power dynamics through climate change research.
31 January 2022 / About Behaviour and choice and Participation
SEI brief / This brief discusses ways that researchers can help shift imbalances in Global North-South power relationships in climate and environment research practices.
28 January 2022 / About Adaptation, Behaviour and choice, Climate policy and Participation
SEI brief / This SEI discussion brief examines the impacts of the pandemic on the deaf, blind and deaf-blind communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
29 June 2021 / About Disaster Risk and Wellbeing
Feature / Rural communities in Colombia's Campoalegre watershed struggle to meet basic needs. SEI researchers aim to connect them to policymakers to improve their lives.
21 March 2022 / About Business, Climate policy, Climate services, Disaster Risk, Food and agriculture, Land use, Participation, Public policy, Sanitation, Water resources and Wellbeing
Perspective / SEI Asia researchers interviewed three regional partners on women’s experiences with climate change and addressing inequalities.
8 March 2022 / About Adaptation, Climate policy, Disaster Risk and Participation
Perspective / Prioritizing stronger local community participation and gender-equal decision-making can ensure ecological and human dignity in forest conservation in Thailand.
28 January 2022 / About Adaptation, Behaviour and choice, Food and agriculture, Forests, Land use, Mitigation, Participation and Sustainable lifestyles
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