Women are Leading the Way to Protect Some of the World’s Most Important Forests

Oct 9, 2024 | Isabela Barriga
Global Forest Watch
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Across the world’s forests, women are not only dedicated stewards of these vital ecosystems but also trailblazers in reshaping the landscape of gender equality in environmental conservation.

While forest management and governance have historically been male dominated, research shows that women’s perspectives are equally critical to forest conservation and restoration efforts: Women often have unique knowledge of trees and forests based on their distinct roles in forest management and have applied this knowledge to protecting and monitoring forests.

However, this knowledge and the role of women in forest governance has been insufficiently recognized, and women still face barriers to participating in decision-making processes related to forest resources. Addressing gender-related challenges for forest management, such cultural norms, underrepresentation in decision making and leadership, and legal and social barriers, can both help empower women and lead to better conservation and livelihood outcomes.