Posters

Abstract

This presentation highlights the importance of gender-sensitive data collection in the Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) for a windfarm project in Europe. Gathering this data strengthens livelihood planning and increases the project’s social acceptance. Specific methodologies were identified to increase women's visibility in LRP data collection. This enhanced the project’s understanding of affected household's socioeconomic situations.  By applying a reflective approach grounded in sociological reflexivity we explored how gender roles shape outcomes. Three common gender biases in socioeconomic data collection have been addressed: (1) Domestic and nonmonetary livelihood activities, often attributed to women, are unpaid and undervalued, excluding such topics from livelihoods surveys. (2) Women contribute significantly to the economy but face poverty, discrimination, and limited policy participation due to a disproportionate burden of domestic work and patriarchal societal structures that exclude women. This leads to underrepresentation in community leadership roles that social consultants often engage with during focus groups and interviews. (3) Surveys asking for self-identified ‘head of the household’ are influenced by cultural norms, often listing men as heads even when women manage the household.  To mitigate these biases, several methods were employed. First, surveys targeted landowners rather than ‘heads of households’ to help increase women's visibility. This approach meant that 26% of those surveyed were women. Second, three out of four surveyors were women, recognizing that women may feel more comfortable speaking with female surveyors, and that a surveyors’ identity can influence responses. Third, survey questions highlighted women’s contributions to livelihoods. Finally, focus groups were tailored to specific livelihoods and characteristics, and a female facilitator fluent in the language of an ethnic minority group of women was included to increase their participation. These strategies can contribute to the wind sector's efforts to address gender-related gaps in resettlement surveys and foster greater community engagement and support for the project.