Women’s Rights to Forest Spaces and Resources

Women in India are key leaders and agents of ecorestoration in preserving India’s forests. Yet limited policy priority and implementation is given to the needs of women. Commercial interests are prioritized higher up than the interest of forest dwelling communities resulting in displacement and deforestation. Women bear the greatest burden of depleting forests and appropriation of forest lands for commercial purposes. This report draws attention to the key concerns of forest women and carves out important recommendations for inclusive and sustainable management of forest spaces within India’s policy framework.