Women, Gender & Youth

Societies across the world have long been undergoing important changes to address issues of inequality, ensuring equal rights and opportunities are available to all individuals, but there is still much progress to be made. Traditionally, women were the “custodians of the hearth”. Now women are gaining access to the same opportunities and same pay as men. Efforts to understand the experiences of youth in the 21st century are also being increasingly emphasized, as well as the intergenerational aspects of communities that support youth and create pathways for them to be engaged in activities that strengthen their wellbeing and sense of connection to the environment. However, change is not evenly spread across nations.

As discussed in the presentations found on this page, the involvement of women and youth in conservation and natural resource management can promote education and sustainable livelihood opportunities, in turn helping to support social and environmental wellbeing, boosting the local economy within their communities, and challenging conventional notions of resource based livelihood activities as “men’s work”.

In the studies found here, interview data, observations and other findings are shared from local communities in locations such as Tajikistan, Iran, Liberia, and Canada. They demonstrate that the process of challenging traditional views of the role of women and youth (particularly in rural communities) is not always easy, but can bring many benefits to the wellbeing of the local community, economy and environment.

Key Themes:
Factors of Success in Community Conservation, Livelihoods, Engagement, Education & Empowerment

Click titles to expand sections below: