272
employment generation. A dialogue tha is necessary to enforce the necessity to
localize capacity building in a gender inclusive manner.
Lessons can be learnt from the Risaralda case and applied to other developing
resource locations. Sustainable livelihoods for women need to be further developed
according to their expectations and needs. This bottom-up economic development
approach is already having a significant effect on many women in Risaralda,
Colombia, and equipping them with more resilient assets that will help them sustain
their livelihoods in the long term.
In addition to a bottom-up approach to development, collaboration has been
essential. In 2008, government authorities extended the impact of this initiative and
agreed with communities that they were going to add sustainable value to raw
materials extracted in the region. This was the beginning of a successful multistakeholder collaboration in which “governments and civil society actors partnered
to create a jewellery association—a community-based organization” (Community
Leader, Jewellery CBO, Interview, November, 2012). The association is one of a
number of income generators at the local level. At the present time, the organization is self- sustainable and employs locals. The arrival of multinational companies
in the region has further strengthened the work of CBOs in Risaralda. A Canadian
company operating in the region strongly supports this initiative as they are keen to
“promote social sustainability in other industries relevant for the community...
[Similarly, the international corporation] is in a permanent dialogue with State
actors to know more about community’s needs and be able to assist women and
local communities increase income” (Corporate Representative, Interview, October,
2012).
Collaborative approaches for enhancing women’s assets have resulted in positive outcomes for the women involved. For example, “the company helped the
municipality to open a plant for waste collection which has the potential for generating income for the local community” (Community Leader, Jewellery CBO,
Interview, November, 2012). Ongoing collaboration between companies, educational institutions and civil society organizations has also helped women create
asset-based strategies to increase local income: “Universities located in the region
are helping us undertake market analysis to improve cost production and increase
income ... this is very important for us because we are a key stakeholder for
[Risaralda’s agriculture sector]” (Community Leader, Blackberry CBO, November,
2012).
Fashioning sustainable livelihood options for women has also been driven by the
need for economic diversification. This has led to some positive livelihood transformations, as women have been able to generate income from industries other than
mining. In addition, supported by private and government organizations, community associations, in which women actively participate, are not only increasing
income but also fostering livelihood opportunities in jewellery design and sales.
This has reduced women’s dependency on mining and helps sustain female
livelihoods.
I. B. Franco and E. Derbyshire
employment generation. A dialogue tha is necessary to enforce the necessity to
localize capacity building in a gender inclusive manner.
Lessons can be learnt from the Risaralda case and applied to other developing
resource locations. Sustainable livelihoods for women need to be further developed
according to their expectations and needs. This bottom-up economic development
approach is already having a significant effect on many women in Risaralda,
Colombia, and equipping them with more resilient assets that will help them sustain
their livelihoods in the long term.
In addition to a bottom-up approach to development, collaboration has been
essential. In 2008, government authorities extended the impact of this initiative and
agreed with communities that they were going to add sustainable value to raw
materials extracted in the region. This was the beginning of a successful multistakeholder collaboration in which “governments and civil society actors partnered
to create a jewellery association—a community-based organization” (Community
Leader, Jewellery CBO, Interview, November, 2012). The association is one of a
number of income generators at the local level. At the present time, the organization is self- sustainable and employs locals. The arrival of multinational companies
in the region has further strengthened the work of CBOs in Risaralda. A Canadian
company operating in the region strongly supports this initiative as they are keen to
“promote social sustainability in other industries relevant for the community...
[Similarly, the international corporation] is in a permanent dialogue with State
actors to know more about community’s needs and be able to assist women and
local communities increase income” (Corporate Representative, Interview, October,
2012).
Collaborative approaches for enhancing women’s assets have resulted in positive outcomes for the women involved. For example, “the company helped the
municipality to open a plant for waste collection which has the potential for generating income for the local community” (Community Leader, Jewellery CBO,
Interview, November, 2012). Ongoing collaboration between companies, educational institutions and civil society organizations has also helped women create
asset-based strategies to increase local income: “Universities located in the region
are helping us undertake market analysis to improve cost production and increase
income ... this is very important for us because we are a key stakeholder for
[Risaralda’s agriculture sector]” (Community Leader, Blackberry CBO, November,
2012).
Fashioning sustainable livelihood options for women has also been driven by the
need for economic diversification. This has led to some positive livelihood transformations, as women have been able to generate income from industries other than
mining. In addition, supported by private and government organizations, community associations, in which women actively participate, are not only increasing
income but also fostering livelihood opportunities in jewellery design and sales.
This has reduced women’s dependency on mining and helps sustain female
livelihoods.
I. B. Franco and E. Derbyshire