Indigenous Women and their Tenacious Strive for Forest Rights - An Indian Perspective

Abstract

In the forestry systems of developing countries, distinct roles are often assumed by men and women. However, women frequently encounter systemic disadvantages stemming from cultural norms, socioeconomic barriers, and institutional biases that restrict their access to and control over forest resources and related economic benefits. Despite their essential contributions to the sustainable use and preservation of forest ecosystems, women’s roles continue to be underrecognized and undervalued. Policies and legal frameworks that govern land and forest management, which disregard gender dynamics and fail to adopt a rights-based perspective, risk perpetuating the legal and social marginalization of women. Such gender-blind approaches exclude women from decision-making processes and deny them fair access to the advantages derived from forest and land resources. This paper critically analyes current legal provisions, particularly focusing on India’s Forest Rights Act of 2006, to investigate how existing forest governance structures adversely affect lowincome populations, especially women. It also proposes targeted reforms designed to strengthen gender equity, enhance women's rights, and promote both social justice and ecological integrity within India’s forest management practices.