Forest Management in the Hands of Women - Guatemala

This activity is engaging women in forest management, helping them to adapt to the risks associated with climate change and enhance their social and economic status

Fast facts:

In 2014, this activity impacted 49,920 hectares of forest in Guatemala with reforestation, agroforestry and natural forest management efforts;
The Guatemalan government has invested GTQ 241,297,803 in sustainable forestry with incentives and has economically benefitted 128,472 women participants.

The problem

Many women in Guatemala rely on the forest for their livelihood. This reliance can often result in deforestation or misuse of resources.

The solution

The government of Guatemala has established sustainable forestry practices through economic incentive programs which seek to promote gender equity, prioritizing the participation of women's groups in the management of natural forests, establishment and maintenance of forest plantations and agroforestry systems. These incentives provide opportunities for landowners to have an income while they protect the forest, ultimately benefitting the entire country with greenhouse gas sequestration and creating a culture of resilience to the effects of climate change. The forestry incentive programs have been a bridge for women from different regions of Guatemala to work with the resources they already own. Women are trained in sustainable forest management, protection of natural forests and establishment of agroforestry systems for the benefit of their communities.

Helping the planet

The economic incentive program is creating sustainable measures regarding the establishment and care of forests, allowing local communities to implement their ancestral knowledge to achieve results. This is creating social and cultural responsibility to address the effects of climate change in the communities of Guatemala.

Helping people

Through this activity, women are being empowered to become leaders in their communities for sustainable forest management. Women are able to provide economic support to the family and seek their autonomy and leadership within their communities.

Scaling Up

This activity can be scaled up by continuing to promote sustainable provision of goods and services from forests to meet societal needs while also reducing social and environmental vulnerability. By regulating and monitoring forest activity, countries and communities can reduce the loss of degradation. By improving public perception about forest management, it is possible to create a forest culture oriented towards sustainable use, protection and restoration of forests, promoting governance