Description

This article argues that in order for a rural livelihoods programme to respond to the differing needs of women and men, it is essential that a gender analysis is undertaken. A gender analysis will provide information on the livelihood strategies, needs, and aspirations of women and men. The article describes a gender analysis that was undertaken as part of Oxfam GB's humanitarian livelihoods programme on Nias Island, Indonesia, in 2007. Due to a range of issues, this analysis was undertaken over a year after the programme started, and highlights some challenges the programme faced as a result of not having this information from the outset. It ends by discussing the ways in which the programme has learnt from this experience. This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis. For the full table of contents for this and previous issues of this journal, please visit the <a href="http://www.genderanddevelopment.org">Gender and Development</a> website.