A gender perspective opens up the future of forests and forestry
Updated by Nozomu Kanemoto on July 22, 2025, 5:15 PM JST
Nozomi KANEMOTO
Leaf Rain Co.
He joined the Japan Forest Technology Association in 2021 and has been involved in several ODA projects in the forestry sector, calculating GHG emission reductions and managing project operations. 2024 he became independent and is currently working in the forestry sector based in France.
When most people think of forestry in Japan, they probably picture men holding chainsaws and wearing helmets. In fact, forestry involves heavy and often dangerous work, and men account for about 90% of all forestry site workers (*1). However, sustainable management and utilization of forest resources requires not only logging, processing, and distribution, but also a multifaceted perspective that includes forest conservation, regional development, and cultural values. In this context, the importance of incorporating a "gender perspective" into forestry and forestry is becoming widely recognized both internationally and in Japan.
The importance of women's participation in environmental management and development has long been recognized internationally: at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, Principle 20 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development stated, "Women have an important role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential for the achievement of sustainable development." (*2).
Then, in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations clarified "achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls (*3)" as an international goal in SDG 5 out of 17 goals.
In the forest sector, international examples have shown that women's participation promotes sustainable management of forest resources and development of local communities. For example, in the "Women and Forests project (*4)" being developed in rural areas of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa, MALEBI (*5), a women-led non-profit organization, promotes reforestation activities through agroforestry and sustainable charcoal use. The project promotes the reforestation of forests through agroforestry (forest farming) and the use of sustainable charcoal, and encourages women to take an active role in forest management and conservation.
Notably, through these activities, women are also playing a role in raising awareness of deforestation issues by educating local residents about the importance of forest resources and the benefits of sustainable management (*6).
In addition, an Indian study reported that women's participation in forest projects contributed to improved local natural resource governance and forest conservation efforts, increasing the potential for reforestation by 28% (*7).
*Reference 1:Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Survey of Forestry Labor Force (2022), p. 90 Document II-13, "Number of Forestry Workers."(Viewed: July 8, 2025)
*Refer 2:Database, "The World and Japan," Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (L.33/Rev.1), June 14, 1992, Diplomatic Blue Paper No. 36 (provisional translation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)(Viewed: July 6, 2025)
*Reference 3:UN Women Japan official website "SDG Goal 5: Achieve gender equality(Viewed: July 6, 2025)
*Refer to 4:European Commission(Viewed: July 6, 2025)
*Refer 5:MALEBI official website(Viewed: July 6, 2025)
*Refer 6:ITTO, Tropical Forest Update, Vol. 28 (2019). P9 (viewed July 6, 2025)
*Refer 7:UNDP (2016) GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE Gender and REDD P5 (viewed July 6, 2025)
In Japan, too, forestry activities are being developed in a variety of ways that take advantage of women's perspectives. For example, Ms. Koeda Kimura, creator of the fragrance body care brand "Beauté de Sae" (*8), has launched a new brand "FORÊIGE" to connect forest protection and human healing after learning about the current situation of satoyama, which are being devastated. Using a woman's sensitivity, she has processed the previously discarded kuromoji trees into products that help people get a good night's sleep and improve their beauty. The development of products that protect satoyama and bring comfort to people is both increasing the value of local resources and preserving forests (*9).
The Highland Forest Products Company Association (Tochigi Prefecture) has formed a material production team (Girls Unit) consisting solely of female employees. The promotion of women's activities has had a variety of positive effects, such as improving the shortage of on-site workers, improving the quality of work, and facilitating communication within the workplace.
*See 8:Beauté de Sae official website(Viewed: July 8, 2025)
*See 9:FOR GOOD project page "We want to make use of the fragrant black locust, which is thrown away to protect forests, for a good night's sleep and beauty!(Viewed: July 8, 2025)
Incorporating women's diverse perspectives and sensitivities will contribute not only to forest conservation, but also to revitalizing local economies and strengthening ties among residents. As part of its projects, the Forestry Agency supports the formation of networks such as the "Mori Onna Meeting (*10)" and the "Forest Creative Women's School (*10)" and is actively promoting the development of diverse leaders. In the future, the role and expectations of women in supporting the sustainable development of forests and forestry will become even greater. (Nozomu Kanamoto, Forestry Consultant, Leaf Rain Co.)
*Refer 10:Forestry Agency, "Women in Forestry," Forestry Agency official website(Viewed: July 8, 2025)
