Biodiversity Prioritisation and Gender

Abstract

Because the financial commitments to preserve biodiversity fall short of what is needed, the elements of biodiversity must be prioritized so that limited funds can be used most effectively. The key issue I address here is the weaknesses of such prioritization mechanisms with respect to gender concerns. I begin by defining biodiversity and how species are prioritized for preservation. Next, I utilize theories from the existing literature to analyze how each component of the prioritization is likely biased when ignoring the linkages between biodiversity, gender, and economic development. Finally, I conclude by demonstrating that the net impacts of those biases could lead to either a deflation or an inflation of the ranking for species valued by women and by discussing the implications of that complexity.