New course on marine spatial planning

Read more about the course here.

Five key steps to integrate poverty and gender

SwAM has contributed to the course by sharing our experiences from why and how a planner can work with gender and poverty issues in marine spatial planning. Senior analyst Maria Göthberg, active within the SwAM Ocean programme, lists the five key steps to integrate poverty and gender in the planning process.

“If possible, ensure that social sustainability goals are included early on in the MSP process. By doing this, it is easier to find acceptance to set aside resources for addressing them throughout the process”, Maria Göthberg says.

Explore material on gender and poverty

Participants are encouraged to explore the MSP framework for gender and poverty perspectives that SwAM has developed, as well as three case studies from Tanzania, Madagascar and Kenya and a synthesis study.

“Start small”

However, if you are unable to address these issues in a holistic way, there is still things you can do. Maria says:

“You can always start with something small. Beginning with a modest task can make it easier to grasp complex challenges. Breaking them down into manageable pieces is often necessary”.