Women in many communities face systemic discrimination and structural inequalities that prevent them from fully accessing and controlling Commons like community forests. Historically relegated to subordinate roles, women are often seen as mere 'beneficiaries' or 'labourers' rather than ‘decision-makers’ and ‘stewards’. This exclusion from decision-making processes exacerbates their vulnerability to exploitation, violence, and denial of a dignified life. Yet, women's participation in the governance system is crucial for the sustainability and conservation of these Commons.
In India, the Forest Rights Act (2006) provides communities, including women, legal recognition and rights to conserve, manage, and govern community forests. However, women are often included in governance structures like Community Forest Rights Management Committees (CFRMCs) only symbolically. Their involvement is frequently tokenistic, with little genuine influence on decisions.
In the tribal-dominated villages of Dhenkanal district, Odisha, an initiative aimed to change this has been started by the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) by encouraging women to take on leadership roles within the CFRMCs. The aim is to foster a mindset shift—encouraging them to question why they have been excluded from the decision-making process. When contested, women demonstrated deep ecological knowledge and a very close relationship with the forest. They identified a far greater number of species—140 to 150—compared to men, who identified only 90 to 100 species. While women are seen going to the forest for 180 to 190 days, men are seen going for 90 to 100 days, which is reflected in women's knowledge of the forest’s biodiversity, seasonal changes, and sustainable harvesting practices and proved invaluable in forest management discussions.
As a result, women now hold leadership positions in about 60 to 65 villages, playing an active role in forest protection, restoration planning, and governance. This shift not only empowers women but also strengthens the sustainability of community-managed forests. Valuing women’s contributions and ensuring their rightful place in governance structures is creating a just, inclusive, and effective resource management systems that benefit both communities and ecosystems.
