Promoting Hima Women Empowerment for Conservation and Livelihood

Project Goal:The livelihood of rural women is enhanced through the revival of the Hima approach in the sustainable management of the IBAs of Lebanon.

Project Outcomes:

Outcome 1: Women groups in the 3 involved Himas have raised voice in the local committee for the sustainable management of the site, by the end of the programme.

Outcome 2: Improved women livelihood by the end of the programme through acquired skills and better income opportunities (in 2 out of the 3 involved Himas ONLY).

Outcome 3: Rural women and decision makers show increased interest to involve women in protected area management, by the end of the programme.

Project Outputs:

Output 1.1: Women groups (in the 3 involved Hima sites) have increased understanding of CEDAW and women’s rights

Output 1.2: Rural women in the 3 involved Hima sites have increased skills in leadership, decision making, and group collective work.

Output 1.3: Women groups (in the 3 involved Hima sites) have increased understanding about Hima approach, and proactive action on natural resource sustainable use.

Output 2.1: Ecotourism and marketing plans developed per Hima site (in 2 out of the 3 involved Himas) in order to help women groups identify alternative ways for raising the level of their livelihood.

Output 2.2: Women groups are trained in order to acquire skills on identified job opportunities linked to the Hima site conservation (in 2 out of the 3 involved Hiima sites).

Output 2.3: Women groups are provided with tools, equipment and marketing in order to start the jobs and increase family income (in 2 out of the 3 involved Hiima sites).

Output 3.1: Increased ability/capacity of women to understand their positive role in protected area management.

Output 3.2: Lessons learnt about role of women in the sustainable management of Hima sites is disseminated, targeting women groups, media and decision makers.

Output 3.3: Increased ability of decision makers to understand the importance of women role in sustainable management of Hima sites.