110
en’s perceptions about priority areas and barriers to engage in sustainable patterns
(Kempton et al. 1985, 1992; Redman 2013; Franco 2014). On the other hand,
policy- makers lack capacity to design impactful capacity-building initiatives for
women (Mckenzie-Mohr 2000).
8.3 Methodology
This manuscript is based on ongoing research that explores the linkages among
women capacity-building and sustainability. This study is qualitative in nature and
was initially undertaken in Colombia. The Japanese case was later explored, and a
global survey was conducted to identify priority capacity-building areas on sustainability for women and girls in selected locations. Survey results have been triangulated through individual and group interview. Fifteen semi-structured interviews
were conducted with various stakeholders actively involved in capacity-building for
sustainability in Colombia, while ten stakeholders were approached in the Japanese
case. Literature and policy review were also conducted to explore exiting global
trends and capacity-building priority areas for sustainability. Focus groups were
also conducted and involved the participation of multiple stakeholders, namely,
higher education institutions, the private sector, governments, and civil society.
Two case study areas have been selected, Risaralda, Colombia, in the Americas,
and Okayama, Japan, in Asia due to the complexities in existing capacity-building
approaches in both cases. Women in sustainability as well as representatives from
higher education institutions and government representatives in both cases facilitated data collection and have been actively involved in the ongoing research.
8.4 Discussion and Results
This section aims to discuss priority areas of capacity-building to help women boost
their assets, cope with unsustainable energy practices, and realize their full potential. This section also discusses and underlines that women’s abilities can be
enhanced if priority areas are identified and adequate capacity-building is developed
and delivered in the selected case study areas. Research findings indicate that priority or impactful areas for capacity-building are those aligned with women’s aspirations (Amartya Sen 1999) in collaboration with public and private stakeholders and
with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Capacity-building areas for sustainability should follow the global agenda for sustainable development without
neglecting the local contexts in which vulnerable groups, particularly women, are
embedded. Neglecting local expectations hinders women’s ability to foster overall
sustainability and questions the effectiveness of existing capacity-building
approaches (Puk and Behm 2003).
I. B. Franco et al.
en’s perceptions about priority areas and barriers to engage in sustainable patterns
(Kempton et al. 1985, 1992; Redman 2013; Franco 2014). On the other hand,
policy- makers lack capacity to design impactful capacity-building initiatives for
women (Mckenzie-Mohr 2000).
8.3 Methodology
This manuscript is based on ongoing research that explores the linkages among
women capacity-building and sustainability. This study is qualitative in nature and
was initially undertaken in Colombia. The Japanese case was later explored, and a
global survey was conducted to identify priority capacity-building areas on sustainability for women and girls in selected locations. Survey results have been triangulated through individual and group interview. Fifteen semi-structured interviews
were conducted with various stakeholders actively involved in capacity-building for
sustainability in Colombia, while ten stakeholders were approached in the Japanese
case. Literature and policy review were also conducted to explore exiting global
trends and capacity-building priority areas for sustainability. Focus groups were
also conducted and involved the participation of multiple stakeholders, namely,
higher education institutions, the private sector, governments, and civil society.
Two case study areas have been selected, Risaralda, Colombia, in the Americas,
and Okayama, Japan, in Asia due to the complexities in existing capacity-building
approaches in both cases. Women in sustainability as well as representatives from
higher education institutions and government representatives in both cases facilitated data collection and have been actively involved in the ongoing research.
8.4 Discussion and Results
This section aims to discuss priority areas of capacity-building to help women boost
their assets, cope with unsustainable energy practices, and realize their full potential. This section also discusses and underlines that women’s abilities can be
enhanced if priority areas are identified and adequate capacity-building is developed
and delivered in the selected case study areas. Research findings indicate that priority or impactful areas for capacity-building are those aligned with women’s aspirations (Amartya Sen 1999) in collaboration with public and private stakeholders and
with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Capacity-building areas for sustainability should follow the global agenda for sustainable development without
neglecting the local contexts in which vulnerable groups, particularly women, are
embedded. Neglecting local expectations hinders women’s ability to foster overall
sustainability and questions the effectiveness of existing capacity-building
approaches (Puk and Behm 2003).
I. B. Franco et al.