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17.1 Introduction
The notions of sustainable livelihoods and gender are taking centre stage in the
context of developing resource-rich regions, particularly those in a situation of conflict. Evidence shows that top-down approaches to development, which neglect
women’s development aspirations regarding their livelihood options, are consistently implemented. This is not only detrimental for women but also for companies
operating in resource regions as it will escalate community discontent and resentment towards the industry (Franco 2014). A situation which increases political
instability, particularly in locations with a history of armed conflict. Instead, fostering the participation of women can open new paths for sustainable peace and foster
overall sustainability in resource regions.
Evidence shows that the representation of women through gender equality initiatives presented in the peace deal with FARC has been pivotal in the government’s
awareness of the importance of women. This recent agreement exemplifies the significant role that gender has to play in the development of sustainable livelihoods in
Colombia’s mining regions. A 2012 United Nations analysis of 31 peace processes
between 1992 and 2011 shows that women make up 4% of signatories, 2.4% of
chief mediators, 3.7% of witnesses and 9% of negotiators (UN Women 2012). What
this means for the future of gender inclusion and the representation of women in
resource-rich regions is significant. The agreement in the Colombian case seeks to
atone destruction and limitations imposed by conflict whilst addressing inherent
inequalities for women in Colombia. As evident in Clause 5 of the agreement, “…
the sub-commission on gender to conclude the work it has been engaged in as
promptly as possible, consisting of the revision of the agreements 1, 2 and 4 of the
General Agreement with a gender-based approach” (Alto Comisionado para la Paz
2016). The first agreement is comprised by plenipotentiary members of the delegations, to which other advisors decided by each party may be added, in addition to
the advisors responsible for each topic, in order to facilitate rapprochements at the
strategic level, make the warranted decisions to streamline the drafting of agreements and supervise the work of the delegations. The inclusion of women in the
governmental bureaucratic processes and discussions further represents the growing
importance in women as actors in the public sphere. This change is a significant step
towards legitimizing the role of women in these mining regions. Furthermore, it
empowers women to become primary economic actors of socio-developmental
change within resource-rich regions.
The clear increase in resource development has severely impacted women and
their opportunities to fashion sustainable livelihoods. The extractive industry operating in these locations has experienced an economic boom, significant for the
global economy with revenues from the sector accounting for US$ 863 million in
2009 in countries like Colombia (Molina-Escobar and Restrepo-Baena 2010; Ponce
2010). However, evidence shows that communities have not benefited from these
economic gains (Franco 2014), a situation that causes resentment and tension at the
community level, compromising overall sustainability and the achievement of the
Sustainable Goal 16 (SDG 16), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
I. B. Franco and E. Derbyshire
17.1 Introduction
The notions of sustainable livelihoods and gender are taking centre stage in the
context of developing resource-rich regions, particularly those in a situation of conflict. Evidence shows that top-down approaches to development, which neglect
women’s development aspirations regarding their livelihood options, are consistently implemented. This is not only detrimental for women but also for companies
operating in resource regions as it will escalate community discontent and resentment towards the industry (Franco 2014). A situation which increases political
instability, particularly in locations with a history of armed conflict. Instead, fostering the participation of women can open new paths for sustainable peace and foster
overall sustainability in resource regions.
Evidence shows that the representation of women through gender equality initiatives presented in the peace deal with FARC has been pivotal in the government’s
awareness of the importance of women. This recent agreement exemplifies the significant role that gender has to play in the development of sustainable livelihoods in
Colombia’s mining regions. A 2012 United Nations analysis of 31 peace processes
between 1992 and 2011 shows that women make up 4% of signatories, 2.4% of
chief mediators, 3.7% of witnesses and 9% of negotiators (UN Women 2012). What
this means for the future of gender inclusion and the representation of women in
resource-rich regions is significant. The agreement in the Colombian case seeks to
atone destruction and limitations imposed by conflict whilst addressing inherent
inequalities for women in Colombia. As evident in Clause 5 of the agreement, “…
the sub-commission on gender to conclude the work it has been engaged in as
promptly as possible, consisting of the revision of the agreements 1, 2 and 4 of the
General Agreement with a gender-based approach” (Alto Comisionado para la Paz
2016). The first agreement is comprised by plenipotentiary members of the delegations, to which other advisors decided by each party may be added, in addition to
the advisors responsible for each topic, in order to facilitate rapprochements at the
strategic level, make the warranted decisions to streamline the drafting of agreements and supervise the work of the delegations. The inclusion of women in the
governmental bureaucratic processes and discussions further represents the growing
importance in women as actors in the public sphere. This change is a significant step
towards legitimizing the role of women in these mining regions. Furthermore, it
empowers women to become primary economic actors of socio-developmental
change within resource-rich regions.
The clear increase in resource development has severely impacted women and
their opportunities to fashion sustainable livelihoods. The extractive industry operating in these locations has experienced an economic boom, significant for the
global economy with revenues from the sector accounting for US$ 863 million in
2009 in countries like Colombia (Molina-Escobar and Restrepo-Baena 2010; Ponce
2010). However, evidence shows that communities have not benefited from these
economic gains (Franco 2014), a situation that causes resentment and tension at the
community level, compromising overall sustainability and the achievement of the
Sustainable Goal 16 (SDG 16), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
I. B. Franco and E. Derbyshire