Gender and Waste Nexus: Experiences from Bhutan, Mongolia and Nepal

Gender-disaggregated data are not collected in a systematic way or are completely lacking in Nepal.

Men dominate high-level administrative and decision- making positions in waste management in both the public and private sectors. Policy considerations: Specific and targeted equal- opportunity labour practices, laws and training programmes would facilitate attitudinal and structural shifts, enabling women to be more involved in decision-making. There is also a need to encourage women to engage with businesses throughout the waste hierarchy (e.g. developing alternatives for plastic products). The crucial role of the informal sector in waste management is largely unacknowledged. Waste recycling is largely a function of the informal sector throughout the entire value chain, with segregation carried out at transfer stations and landfills. Labourers in this sector are often marginalized and vulnerable to external factors, such as landfill closures. Moreover, workers are excluded from social protection schemes and health benefits. This differs to waste dealing, which is a lucrative business with immense economic loopholes in value chain operations. Policy considerations: Recognizing and/or formalizing the informal sector may provide protection for vulnerable and marginalized informal labourers, particularly where mechanisms and tools are in place to enforce implementation regarding access to social protection and benefits. If the informal sector is formalized, it should be ensured that women do not lose their jobs as the profession becomes more highly recognized.

Nepal

Policy gender- disaggregated data is necessary for implementing evidence-based, gender-sensitive policies in thewaste sector, as well as for integrating gender-monitoring mechanisms into policies and activities. There is also a need to proceed with studies on gender-based discrimination and violence in the waste sector. The gender gap is high across the waste management sector in Nepal. The social stereotypes and roles of women and men, as well as cultural behaviours, such as the caste system, dictate access to opportunities, despite the inclusion of gender mainstreaming and gender balance in some guidelines and acts. Together, these factors distort the representation of women and men in the waste sector. Policyconsiderations: Attitudinal changeswith regards to gender norms and their intersectionality with caste are important as these will enable gender-sensitive reforms of the waste sector. Increased awareness of the gender and cultural stereotypes and roles and responsibilities within waste sector management is needed and should lead to more attractive and secure jobs in the sector. The operation level should introduce all possible measures to ensure safe and healthy work environments, such as organizational guidelines and code of conducts. Promotion of these standards and possibly improved work performances would improve the image of the entire sector. considerations: Collecting Operational level

Gender and waste nexus

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