Dryland peoples and areas face significant challenges from environmental change, demographic and socioeconomic trends, and the added threat of climate change. The marginalization of dryland zones have resulted from persistent misconceptions and a history of highly inappropriate policies, creating under-investment, poverty, social exclusion and environmental degradation.
Women play an important role in drylands development, managing land, crops, forestry and water resources.
However, women not only experience the marginalization of the dryland zone where they live, but they also face specific forms of discrimination related to gender and other kinds of social difference. Dryland women experience worse outcomes on core development indicators, compared to national averages. Widespread discrimination, inequality and stereotypes are preventing women’s participation in decision making and the realization of their human rights. Gender equality rooted in human rights is an essential development goal and vital to achieving sustainable and inclusive drylands development.