Women live with, relate to and use forests differently from men. They should, therefore, be central players in the movement to protect and restore global forests. The fact they are not is unjust. But above all, it undermines the restoration and protection of forests - gender injustice is bad for forests.
Gender equity is a pillar in all of our work. Our work in Uganda, Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of Congo is already tackling the twin challenges of deforestation and gender inequality. But we need to do much more, and soon.
HEAR FROM OUR PROJECTS
Hear from Lucy Kananu, a project participant in Kenya, who explains what being part of the project has meant for her and other women in her community.
Did you know?
40+%
of the agricultural labour force in the global south are women, yet they only own 10-20% of the land.
Source: ILO 2018
100-150 million
additional people could be fed annually if women in rural areas had the same access to agricultural resources as men.
What are we doing, and how can you help
Women's relationship with forests is often subject to inequality and injustice that reflects the broader patriarchal system. Research shows that by supporting women's participation in reforestation, we can achieve more sustainable outcomes not only for women and girls but also for the forests they inhabit and the wider climate.
TreeSisters’ Restoration Strategy aims to redress the imbalance in community forestry. This is being delivered through several of our projects, including agroforestry and restoration in Kasese, Uganda, empowering vulnerable women and children through fruit tree planting in Bolivia, and working with female indigenous leaders restoring the Itombwe Rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can learn more about these projects in our Gender Equity Counts blog.
Nature is in crisis, and gender injustice is a major driver. Redressing the balance through gender-equitable approaches at all levels and for all genders is critical to slowing and reversing the environmental damage done to date.
This is no easy task, and we need your support. Help us redress the balance today.
MAKE YOUR DONATION COUNT.
We recognise that environmental degradation and the degradation of women are perpetuated by the same systems of abuse and that restoring our planet and supporting gender equity are intrinsically linked.
When women are empowered and included in decision-making, they play a vital role in effective climate change solutions. Your donations really make a difference. Be part of the solution.
