Agenda 21 recommends programmes to promote provision of environmentally sound technology which has been designed, developed and improved in consultation with women.
Women have long been regarded as 'non technological' whilst men have always been granted credit for technological innovations by technical development specialists. Despite the fact that it is women who are widespread users of small-scale technologies with extensive knowledge of their environments and production systems, research and development of new tools and techniques has tended to focus on men's activities, and improved equipment has often been introduced to men even where women have been the traditional operators.