Throughout history, women have been closely linked to the care of the land and the management of natural resources, contributing knowledge, techniques, and a holistic vision to ecosystem stewardship. However, their participation in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as forestry has often been invisible or underrepresented due to cultural and structural barriers that have limited their recognition.
Contrary to traditional perceptions, women are not limited to roles in planting or harvesting. Their presence spans scientific and technical research, forest management and conservation, environmental education, community activism and leadership, the timber industry, and decision-making processes. Many lead studies on ecological restoration, biodiversity, and climate change, offering valuable insights for sustainable forest management. In rural and Indigenous communities, countless women are at the forefront of conservation, reforestation, and sustainable use initiatives.
From classrooms to social media, women raise environmental and forest awareness across generations. They defend their territories, promote environmental rights, and lead climate justice efforts. While their presence in leadership roles remains low, more and more women are stepping into spaces where forest policies are shaped.
Despite these advances, challenges remain:
- The lack of sex-disaggregated data makes it difficult to understand and quantify women’s contributions.
- Wage and opportunity gaps prevent women from accessing technical jobs, training, and career advancement.
- Persistent stereotypes portray forestry as physically demanding and “unsuitable” for women, limiting their visibility and potential.
- The absence of visible female role models in the sector makes it harder for young girls to see forestry as a professional path.
Why is it important to make women in forestry visible?
Recognizing and strengthening women’s participation in forest management fosters a more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable approach. Inclusion is not only a matter of social justice — it’s a critical strategy for tackling today’s environmental challenges.
Diversity and gender equity in forestry mean:
- Better collective decision-making
- More balanced perspectives on land use
- Greater innovation in climate solutions
- More resilient and sustainable communities
Now more than ever, we need more women in the forest sector. We need their voices to be heard, their knowledge to be valued, and their stories to inspire others.
This is a call to make them visible, to share their stories, to name and honor their contributions — and to continue building a forestry sector with a gender perspective.
