Effective Commons management fosters the sustainability and resilience of resources that are accessible to a community. Commons, such as forests, water bodies, and grazing land, support the livelihood of poor and marginalized people by providing employment and income. Fifteen Percent of the total geographical area of India belongs to Commons. Though, by definition, everyone has access to Commons, gender, caste, religion, and household categories play a crucial role in accessing these resources. Women often face discrimination in accessing these resources due to their gender. Only 13.87 % of operational landholders are female in India. Although there was evidence that women's participation improved environmental resources, other research revealed that women only sometimes benefit from effective conservation initiatives, and excluding women can worsen inequality. In some communities of India, women handle over 70% of the forest resources. Despite that, women's participation in policymaking is very low, and it is essential to focus on the importance of their involvement in sustainable commons management. Commons have evolved over the years during environmental uncertainties. However, due to privatization, encroachment, land reforms, and climate change, commons have been depleted. From 1993 to 1998, Commons in India have been depleted by 1.9 percent. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the existing resources from further depletion. The main objective of this paper is to emphasize sustainable commons management from a gender perspective using the existing literature on India. This study will further assist policymakers on three sustainable development goals: 'No poverty,' 'Gender equality,' and 'Reduced inequality.'
