From the margins to management

Across forest landscapes, women, especially Indigenous and rural women, are often excluded from land and resource governance, despite their critical roles in sustaining ecosystems and livelihoods. Deep-rooted inequalities and gender norms restrict their access to resources, leadership, and decision-making power. Yet when women are meaningfully included, they bring distinct knowledge and priorities that can strengthen environmental stewardship and resilience. Evidence from Bolivia, Colombia, Ghana, and Indonesia shows that women's participation is not just equitable; it’s effective. This article explores how targeted, gender-responsive strategies, such as women-led organizations, community savings groups, and tailored training, can unlock transformative change. These interventions improved women’s access to land, finance, and climate-smart practices, while also shifting power dynamics in local governance. Key to their success was combining practical support with engagement of traditional leaders and broader community buy-in. Rather than offering a fixed model, the cases highlight adaptable approaches for strengthening women’s agency in diverse contexts, showing that supporting women’s leadership is vital for both social equity and resilient landscapes.