Section 3: Reference Materials

Reference #2: Importance of Participation of Both Men and Women

There are many reasons why it is important to have the participation of both men and women in the planning and implementation of community development projects.

1. Participation helps ensure that the goals and objectives of the project are consistent with the wants, needs and personal lives of both men and women in the community.
   
   
2. Participation helps ensure that projects choose methods and activities that work for that community, thus making the project more efficient and more effective.
   
   
3. Participation increases the sense of ownership of and commitment to the project. Consequently, the project is more likely to achieve its intended results.
   
   
4. Participation that includes influence and decision-making contributes to the empowerment of people in the community, including women, the poor, and the disadvantaged.
   
   
5. Participation contributes to the satisfaction of users and beneficiaries, and hence to more sustainable services.
   
   
6. Participation of both men and women helps ensure that the project will maintain a focus on gender and poverty during its implementation, and that it will seek to balance unequal relationships.
   
   
7. Services that are sustained are more widely used, and more effective. Thus, participation contributes to improved services.
   
   
8. Participation contributes to a more effective project, and to long-term sustainability.
   
   
9. The process of partic ipation itself contributes to greater gender awareness, and the learning process helps participants increase their skills in problem solving and bringing about change.

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