Integrating gender assessment study into environmental impact assessment

This article focuses on (i) strengthening the socio-economic component (including gender relations) in environmental impact assessment (EIA) by integrating into it the strategy and methodology developed by gender assessment study (GAS) and (ii) presenting the approach used in a study that resulted in an integrated environmental impact statement in which the impacts for the natural environment and the socio-economic environment (gender relations) of the intended activity and alternatives are compared In the Netherlands there has been no practical experience yet with such integration. However, it seems that the strategy and methodology developed by GAS can strengthen the socio-economic component of EIA for projects in water and sanitation, waste disposal, agriculture, forestry and fishing.