Abstract
Abstract. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is among the most discrete and diverse region facing various ecological, environmental and socio-economic threats in terms of increasing demands for natural resources and its consequences in the form of overexploitation, disaster, droughts, extreme weather, and climate change etc. Geospatial information technology (GIT) with Earth observation (EO) data are effectively supporting the implementation of development agendas in HKH by providing extensive solutions to above-pressing issues by not only addressing them but also providing services in daily life. These technologies have effectively bolstered in time via innovation, creating jobs and confidence in people that supports filling the data and knowledge gaps in the region. However, the involvement and participation of women in GIT is mere in the region despite their vital role in environmental management and decision making. Realizing the issue, we acknowledged and implemented the twin challenges i.e. capacity building and gender equality for building the pathways to sustainable development via innovative steps and processes to bridge the gender imbalance in GIT workforce in HKH. For the purpose, we organized various capacity building trainings and workshops with a broad focus towards GIT applications in forest, agriculture, water management, drought and climate change along with the hands-on exercises. In addition, specific women focused training programs i.e. Empowering Nepali Women through Technology Training and Women in GIT were organized during 2017 and 2018 respectively. These efforts delivered optimistic results in terms of building confidence, decision making and more women participation showing an increment of ~5% participation by women in 2017–2018 fiscal year with respect to 2016–2017 fiscal year. In HKH nations with less social parity, the information delivered by this gender mainstreaming effort will have life-changing implications to achieve workforce parity.
Highlights
As one of the most diverse mountains, the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region serves to nearly 240 million population through various ecosystem services i.e. food, timber, fiber, fresh air and water, climate regulation, carbon storage, soil protection and the maintenance of aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual values (Hamilton 2015; Wester et al, 2019)
Despite the vital role of women in environmental management and decision making their involvement and participation in Geospatial information technology (GIT) is very low in Asia in HKH region (Sherpa 2007; Mehta, 2007) that might lead to a large gender imbalance around the globe (Caitlin 2014)
A significant gain of ~5% in the participation of women during the fiscal year 2017-2018 compared to the year 2016-2017 was observed. This highlighted the successful approach of implementing gender strategy into the action plan of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Summary
As one of the most diverse mountains, the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region serves to nearly 240 million population through various ecosystem services i.e. food, timber, fiber, fresh air and water, climate regulation, carbon storage, soil protection and the maintenance of aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual values (Hamilton 2015; Wester et al, 2019). Despite the vital role of women in environmental management and decision making their involvement and participation in GIT is very low in Asia in HKH region (Sherpa 2007; Mehta, 2007) that might lead to a large gender imbalance around the globe (Caitlin 2014). To overcome these challenges, a robust approach of capacity building (CB) is required that enhances the technical abilities of society and countries at individual, organizational and institutional levels to implement and achieve the development goals (Thapa et al, 2019; Chandler and Kennedy 2015). Thapa et al (2019) developed a sequential work flow for capacity building highlighting four major tasks as Assessment, Design, Implementation, and Monitoring (ADIM)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
