Neither the purpose nor the social value of their task is being acknowledged. Considered as feminism entering into environmental issues they are often treated without consideration. Throughout the session it was repeatedly made clear that when speaking of gender issues, women should not be the only ones considered. Other groups, which are also being ignored, have a right to an active participation in the protection and conservation of our common environment. One of the most asserted ways of making the environmental dream possible is through the constant exchange of knowledge and experience between all the genders without any discrimination whatsoever.
Gender issues are basically power relations, but the ideology behind it involves much more.
According to IUCN, gender issues refer to the attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female. It also refers to the social cultural relationships between them. Gender also takes factors such as class, race, economic status, ethnic group and age into consideration. Overall, when we speak of gender we mean the fundamental issue of social equity. In 1998, after a decade of struggle, the IUCN managed to develop a gender policy and to have a new gender advisor in order to issue the subject.