Understanding local difference: gender (plus) matters for NGOs (PLA 58)

Guest editors: Tom Wakeford and Jasber Singh. To read the full table of contents please click on ‘More information’ above.

The paper is based on a longer review of publications from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), London, which was produced for internal learning. The review aimed to promote a more consistent analysis of recognised local difference in the work IIED does as an NGO, particularly, but not only, gender differences. In the paper, the authors illustrate why and how it is important to ‘disaggregate’ populations – that is, to separate out different subgroups for analysis – going beyond ‘the local’ and ‘the community’. The authors use examples of selected IIED publications; and provide a basic tool for thinking about difference, with a focus on the management of natural resources for sustainable development.

Keywords: citizens juries, participatory budgeting, grassroots participation, gender, community activism, NGOs.

Participatory Learning and Action (PLA, formerly PLA Notes) is the world's leading series on participatory learning and action approaches and methods. PLA publishes articles on participation aimed at practitioners, researchers, academics and activists. All articles are peer-reviewed by an international editorial board. See: www.planotes.org