Forests

From North America to Africa to Asia, forests represent one of the most important ecosystems in the world and are vital to human life. Forests are not only crucial sources of food and wood, but also provide invaluable services such as flood and climate regulation, air and water purification, and biodiversity. Both women and men rely on these material goods and ecosystem services; however, the way people use and manage forests depends on their socioeconomic and socio-cultural environment, age and gender (FAO, 1989). Case studies have shown unequivocally that women and men have gender differentiated knowledge of forests: dependence, usage of material goods, benefits, and access and control of forests are factors that have different meanings to either gender.

In a time when forest ecosystems are diminishing at an unprecedented rate, forest loss becomes one of the main issues of the millennium. Ignoring the gender dimensions of forests is not an option; the loss of these essential ecosystems will have a gender-differentiated impact, and the only means to ensure their true conservation is to include both men and women’s voices in decision-making.

Unfortunately, there is still a gap between the fields of gender and forests. Ownership of forests and the sale of forest products are largely under the control of men, and women’s needs and concerns are neglected as they have little power in determining development activities. At WEDO, we aim to bring women’s voices to the table and establish the linkages between gender and forests that will allow women to be recognized as crucial forest stakeholders.

The Latest Forests News