Reviewing gender roles, relations, and perspectives in small-scale and community forestry – implications for policy and practice

Liz Ota; Gun Lidestav; Elias Andersson; Tony Page; Jayne Curnow; Lilian Nunes; Henry Goltiano; Nestor Gregorio; Natalia Ferreira dos Santos; John Herbohn

doi:10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103167

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Reviewing gender roles, relations, and perspectives in small-scale and community forestry – implications for policy and practice

Journal article

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Reviewing gender roles, relations, and perspectives in small-scale and community forestry – implications for policy and practice

Liz Ota, Gun Lidestav, Elias Andersson, Tony Page, Jayne Curnow, Lilian Nunes, Henry Goltiano, Nestor Gregorio, Natalia Ferreira dos Santos and John Herbohn

Forest Policy and Economics, Vol.161, pp.1-8

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103167

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Abstract

gender

women

equity

development

governance

This study synthesises published research on gender relations in small-scale and community forestry to examine how gender roles, dynamics, and identities are understood in the literature. We also assess the ways in which gendered social relations can be more effectively incorporated into policies and practice. After initial screening, 140 papers were systematically reviewed. Thematic analysis revealed that gender relations have been studied in small-scale and community forestry under different approaches and to various depths but were frequently equated to women's issues. Although normative gendered roles within households and communities may persist, there are opportunities for breaking through stereotypes. Most common findings were that small-scale and community forestry increases gender equity in rural communities but can have adverse effects if women are not genuinely included in decision making. Leaving women's perspectives out of decision-making processes can be harmful to their livelihoods. Further, as women often distribute the benefits from small-scale and community forestry to households and communities, their absence in decision making is detrimental to society. Policies that promote ways to incorporate the perspectives of men and women in small-scale and community forestry can benefit from the resultant broader knowledge bases and objectives. When gender inequities are pronounced, gender-targeted approaches might be necessary. Other factors that explain social stratification, such as ethnicity and age groups, must also be taken into consideration. Small-scale and community forestry can provide opportunities to broaden the scope of livelihoods, decision making, and contribute to a more gender-equitable engagement.

Details

Title: Reviewing gender roles, relations, and perspectives in small-scale and community forestry – implications for policy and practice
Authors: Liz Ota (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Gun Lidestav - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Elias Andersson - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Tony Page - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Jayne Curnow - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Lilian Nunes - Visayas State University
Henry Goltiano - Visayas State University
Nestor Gregorio - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Natalia Ferreira dos Santos - Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre (Australia)
John Herbohn - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre
Publication details: Forest Policy and Economics, Vol.161, pp.1-8
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103167
ISSN: 1872-7050; 1389-9341
Copyright note: © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Grant note: This work was supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research [grants ASEM/2016/103, FST/2016/153 and FST/2018/178]; Project Tarsier; and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Organisation Unit: Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991006997602621
Output Type: Journal article

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