Ebook: Under the canopy. Gender and forests in Amazonia

Despite the importance of forests for global processes and the tradition of forest management by local Amazonian
peoples, there is not much available literature on gender and forests in the Amazon region. Yet gender roles
and relationships are important components of key emerging forest-related issues, such as climate change
and the differential risks and opportunities faced by women and men in different contexts. This paper reviews
recent literature (in English, Spanish and Portuguese) that addresses gender and forests in Amazonia, focusing
on: property rights in Amazonian territories and communities; diverse and changing gender relations; forest
management programs; and women’s participation in social movements and organizations. The review finds
significant historical, sociocultural and material barriers to gender equity and to women’s full participation in
sustainable management of Amazonian forests, and a relative lack of focus on gender in forest management
programs, despite promising examples. The most important finding was that, over the past two decades, women
from different Amazonian social groups have become increasingly organized, enhancing their rights, levels of
participation and empowerment. More research is needed to understand the variability of gender relations and
rights in different Amazonian contexts, and how they are changing. Research is also needed to understand and
support efforts to improve gender equity in rights to resources and income and participation in key community
and societal decisions on the future of Amazonian forests and their peoples.