15 September 2015
FAO/RECOFTC Report Assesses Gender Mainstreaming in Forest Policies in Asia and the Pacific
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Launched at the fourteenth World Forestry Congress, which convened from 7-11 September 2015, in Durban, South Africa, a report prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC) documents key findings of a regional initiative on mainstreaming gender into forest policies in Asia and the Pacific, based on studies in Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

january_2015_mainstreaming_gender_into_forest.pngSeptember 2015: Launched at the fourteenth World Forestry Congress, which convened from 7-11 September 2015, in Durban, South Africa, a report prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC) documents key findings of a regional initiative on mainstreaming gender into forest policies in Asia and the Pacific, based on studies in Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Published in January 2015, the report titled ‘Mainstreaming Gender into Forest Policies in Asia and the Pacific,’ the report is based on a review of literature covering relevant documents pertaining to forestry and gender issues, including national policies, laws and decrees; country case-studies; in-depth interviews; and policy analyses to identify gender gaps in forest policies, laws and practices. The report shows that despite enabling institutional mechanisms and legal frameworks to promote gender equality in all eight countries, Nepal and the Philippines are considered relatively more progressive in integrating gender perspectives in their forest policies and strategies. While they could serve as good examples in the region, they are also facing a number of challenges in effectively implementing gender-sensitive forest policies and strategies.

The analysis suggests that having gender-integrated forest policies alone is not enough to reduce pervasive gender inequalities in forestry. These policies must be supported by technical expertise for facilitating gender-sensitive policy implementation and practice. Moreover, clear targets, gender guidelines, strategy and action plans supported by adequate budgets and institutional mechanisms in forestry departments and agencies must be in place, so that gender mainstreaming becomes an achievable milestone within a set time frame.

Common challenges in mainstreaming gender include: gendered norms and cultural prejudices that reinforce forestry as a male profession; lack of evidence-based research and gender-disaggregated data; limited technical capacity and expertise; limited budget to implement gender-focused activities; and women’s limited representation in decision-making. In order to address these challenges, the report provides practical recommendations, such as: convening national dialogues and consultation meetings to discuss gender gaps and promote learning networks; conducting gender-sensitive research and developing capacity of relevant stakeholders; establishing gender working groups; reviewing existing management structures to create more gender-balanced forestry institutions; and setting up gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation systems with gender-responsive budgeting. [Publication: Mainstreaming Gender into Forest Policies in Asia and the Pacific] [WFC Side-Event]


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