GERNA:
Gender and Environment Research Network in Asia


     Gender and Environment Research Network in Asia is a regional network which aims to
promote the formation of an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural forum of researchers and
organizations in the field of gender and environment.  It is planned to build an Asian collegiality
through sharing research findings, various approaches and methodologies, information about
researchers and organizations in the field and through directly communicating with researchers
and organizations.  GERNA has received financial support from ASEAN-Canada Women's
Initiative Fund (WIF), Canadian High Commission, Singapore.


     The formation of the network is based on the recognition of the following: the existing
development mode has increasingly proved to be a major cause of environmental degradation;
women are differentially affected by environmental degradation; women are not only victims of
environmental degradation, but also play a significant role in environmental movements and the
perspectives and needs of women are not adequately addressed.  More systematic efforts are
needed on understanding of women's knowledge and initiatives in natural resource management
and environmental activities.  Hence, there is need for close collaboration between
researchers/action researchers and organizations in the region.  GERNA's mission is to create an
interdisciplinary, cross-cultural group of researchers and organizations engaged in exploring new
development modes directed towards greater social, gender equity and environmental
sustainability.


     Major components of GERNA include: 
     
  1.  facilitating and promoting communication and
cooperation between researchers and organizations through a computerized database on gender,
technology, natural resources, rural and urban environment; 
  2.  establishing a regional information
center to identify, analyze, compile, publish and distribute information in the field of gender and
environment; 
  3.  strengthen the network through organizing regional meetings, workshops and
seminars to identify gaps in existing research, and suggest measures for future research and
policy interventions.


     The database of organizations consists of about 100 research and academic institutes,
development agencies, NGOs, people's movements and government agencies and more is being
added.  Review of literature covers 70 journal articles, books, book chapters, working papers and
theses so far.  For developing the database of individual researchers and experts a questionnaire
survey is underway.





Contact Address:



    

  • By Email: hs3095@rccvax.ait.ac.th

  • By Tel: (66-2) 524-5671, 524-5668, 524-5698 or 516-0110 to 44 [ex.5671/5673]

  • By Fax: (66-2) 516-2126 or 516 1418

  • By post: 
    

    Center for Gender and Development Studies (GENDEV)

    School of Environment, Resources and Development

    Asian Institute of Technology

    G.P.O. Box 2754

    Bangkok - 10501

    Thailand






Hari Srinivas - hsrinivas@gdrc.org 

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