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On International Day of Rural Women, we celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness against gender bias, and take action for equality. We highlight this day by giving the word to rural women in forestry.
Around the world, women are heavily involved in forest work. They collect fuelwood, medicinal plants and food from the forest, work as forest managers, and research and teach forestry in countless organizations and universities.
However, women are frequently disadvantaged in their access to and control over forest resources and in the economic opportunities available to them. Women’s knowledge of forests and trees is often discounted in forest decisions, and their role in forest-related value chains tends to be poorly supported by policymakers and extension services.
Gender equality – also in the forest – is not only a human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Empowering women is critical in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition, will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large.
Only by working together can we bring equality into the forest. PEFC certification promotes the role of women in forestry through a variety of requirements and processes. Forest managers must be committed to equal opportunities and non-discrimination, and gender equality must be promoted.
Special consideration must be given to new opportunities for training and employment of local people – men and women alike. Wages of forest workers – independent of gender – must meet or exceed legal, industry minimum standards.
Through provision for effective communication and consultation with local communities in regard to sustainable forest management, PEFC certification provides a forum that better enables women to participate in forest decisions.
For International Day of Rural Women, we spoke to the women themselves to hear about their daily work, what the forest means to them, and how forestry has changed over time. Hear from them in our interview series!
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