Resumen

VAZQUEZ GARCIA, Verónica. Gender and forests: topics and approaches in the international literature. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.16, pp.10-21. ISSN 2007-1132.

The forests of the world are important carbon reservoirs and offer subsistence and/or income opportunities to 1.6 billion people, most of them women living in poverty. This paper identifies the main links between gender and forestry in the international literature. Results are grouped in three sections: 1) forest legislation and policy. Normative systems do not acknowledge women s land rights. When available, gender equity programs in the forestry sector rarely translate into concrete goals and actions; 2) community dynamics, particularly the impact of decentralization and community forest management initiatives on women s status. Although both constitute strategies to increase community control over forest resources, women do not participate in decision-making, have little information on management plans and do not benefit from it; and 3) Gender tools for the design of more successful studies and interventions, mainly the recognition of the gender division of labor and gendered systems of knowledge. This paper closes with some recommendations for the REDD+ mechanism presently under construction: a) to guarantee women’s effective participation; b) to increase their access to land; c) to ensure the equal distribution of benefits between women and men.

Palabras llave : Forests; equity; gender; forest policy; REDD+; sustainability.