Gendered Barriers to Working in Conservation: A Comparative Case Study in South Korea and Mongolia

This research explores the impact of gender inequity on conservation efforts, particularly how patriarchal structures and gender norms create systemic barriers within the conservation field, and seeks to develop more inclusive practices for people who work in conservation organizations. Mongolia and South Korea face diverse conservation challenges today. Mongolia has the lowest population density of any sovereign nation globally and heavily relies on its herding culture. Mongolia is experiencing extreme climate change, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average. In contrast, South Korea is one of the most densely populated countries globally. South Korea is known for its rapid economic development, but that development has significant environmental costs. In both countries, conservation leadership is predominantly male, and research on gender inequality is limited. In Mongolia, women comprise only 15% of high-level management positions in the workplace, and in Korea, only 8%. Gender equity is crucial to conservation, as studies indicate that gender diversity in conservation leads to more effective outcomes. However, women are often sidelined from conservation leadership roles and face salary inequality, presumptions of incompetence, and sexual harassment. This research uses mixed ethnographic methods, including semi-structured interviews and photovoice, to explore gender inequality in conservation at the micro level of personal experience and the macro level of systemic barriers to better understand women's experiences working in conservation in South Korea and Mongolia. The findings from this research will be used to create practical recommendations for policymakers and conservation organizations to support women in leadership roles and improve inclusive organizational culture and policies. This interdisciplinary study bridges environmental studies, gender studies, and policy analysis, extending scholarship that examines the sociocultural dimensions of conservation. It underscores the importance of integrating people-centered approaches into environmental research, aligning with global efforts to promote equity and sustainability.