The wilderness needs women.
Women are key to managing forests and fighting climate change. In forest communities across the developing world, it is women who plant fodder shrubs, manage livestock health, walk hours through forests to collect fuelwood and know what wild herbs are medicinal. And it is often women that have been entrusted with the responsibility of sustainable natural resource management.
India is home to the largest directly forest-dependent population in the world. We’re considered the forerunners in developing policies for a healthy, empowering people-forest interaction. Yet, our efforts to engage women and place them in decision-making roles remain subpar.
Women are key to managing forests and fighting climate change. In forest communities across the developing world, it is women who plant fodder shrubs, manage livestock health, walk hours through forests to collect fuelwood and know what wild herbs are medicinal. And it is often women that have been entrusted with the responsibility of sustainable natural resource management.
India is home to the largest directly forest-dependent population in the world. We’re considered the forerunners in developing policies for a healthy, empowering people-forest interaction. Yet, our efforts to engage women and place them in decision-making roles remain subpar.
