Coastal Zone Policy 2005.

The Government considers the following three reasons for initiating the Coastal Zone Policy: the coastal zone is lagging behind in socio-economic developments on many aspects; Poor initiatives to cope with different disasters and gradual deterioration of the environment; the coastal zone has the potential to contribute much to national development (4.4). The coastal development process aims to meet National Goal for Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction & Social Development; Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and other international conventions and treaties including to achieve the targets of the MDGs. The goal of integrated coastal zone management is: to create conditions, in which the reduction of poverty, development of sustainable livelihoods and the integration of the coastal zone into national processes can take place. Programmes for intensification of agriculture and crop diversification for improving the economic conditions of both male and female farmers and increasing food security at local and regional level shall be supported. Women’s development and gender equity: A gender sensitive and participatory approach will be adopted that focuses at the reduction of gender inequalities and that takes into account differences in needs and interests between men and women; Efforts will be made to close the gender gap, giving priority to women’s education, training and employment and special support for broadening their coping capacity, etc. (4.7).