Gender guidelines for biophysical researchers

Abstract

These guidelines for integrating gender into biophysical research propose simple and practical steps for taking gender into account throughout the research project cycle. The guidelines are for biophysical scientists who conduct research under the framework of the CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems. These guidelines emerged from a workshop with a select group of scientists representing different Dryland Systems partner centers, which was held on November 2014, in Dubai, UAE. They were later amended by the Dryland Systems Gender Program Coordinator. A number of tools, theoretical frameworks, and practical considerations for integrating gender into agricultural research have been considered with a goal of imparting straightforward methods for gender-responsive biophysical research. The aims are to facilitate the empowerment of rural women, the promotion of gender equity, and the scaling out of gender equitable development in mainstream biophysical research. This is thus a practical way to implement the Dryland Systems Gender Strategy 2014–2017.