The gender dimension of forestry studies in Mexico: a systematic review; La forestales de México: una revisión sistemática

Abstract

Gender inequalities can hinder efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. At the same time, forest policies that ignore these inequalities can perpetuate or aggravate them. Given the growing body of research on the human dimensions of forests, there is a need to synthesize this knowledge to identify information gaps and facilitate forest policies that adequately address the gender issues highlighted by scientific literature. This research analyzes case studies on gender and forests in Mexico published between 2010 and 2020 through a systematized literature review. It was found that constructivist and critical approaches to the relationship between gender and environment predominate, focused on ejidos or forest communities in central and southern Mexico and in temperate forests. The three main themes identified are: socio-environmental practices and social reproduction strategies; participation and power in forest governance; and effects of environmental policies on gender. The analysis made it possible to recognize gender patterns in forest management that contribute to inequality and information gaps that need to be addressed. This synthesis can contribute to guide research agendas on gender and forests and to advance the integration of the gender perspective in Mexico's forest policies.