The Role of Women in Equitable and Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Governance, Social Equity, and Democracy

On a clear morning in the Andes, a woman bends over a small irrigation channel, guiding water to her crops. Thousands of miles away, on a coastal fishing dock, another woman mends nets while listening to the weather report that will determine the community’s catch. From forest villages to bustling cities, women are at the heart of sustaining the land, the water, and the resources that keep life going. They are farmers, water collectors, forest stewards, and community leaders—holders of deep ecological knowledge passed down through generations. Yet despite their intimate connection to the environment, they remain largely excluded from the tables where policies are made and resources are allocated. In an era of climate crisis, resource depletion, and growing inequality, bringing women fully into the governance of natural resources is not just fair—it is a necessity for building a sustainable, just, and democratic future.

Natural resources—whether forests, fisheries, minerals, fresh water, or fertile soils—form the bedrock of human survival and economic life. How these resources are managed shapes the health of ecosystems, the stability of societies, and even the legitimacy of governments. When they are mismanaged, overexploited, or distributed unequally, the results can be devastating: poverty deepens, corruption thrives, and communities may slide toward conflict. But when governance is transparent, inclusive, and sustainable, it can generate prosperity, strengthen trust between citizens and institutions, and fortify democratic systems.

This is the challenge—and the opportunity—at the heart of the Mediators Beyond Borders / Lima Peace Summit, Reconciling Growth and Governance. The gathering brings together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society to confront the urgent task of balancing economic development with the responsible stewardship of natural resources. Through open dialogue, shared learning, and collaborative action, the summit aims to chart pathways that protect the planet’s life-support systems, advance social equity, and ensure that governance keeps pace with both ecological limits and democratic ideals. In this space, sustainability and justice are not competing goals—they are the same goal.

Women as Stewards of Natural Resources

Women’s connection to natural resources is rooted in their social roles and responsibilities, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities. Globally, women make up nearly half of the agricultural labor force and are primary providers of household water, fuel, and food. Their daily interaction with land, forests, water, and biodiversity equips them with critical knowledge about ecosystem management, seasonal changes, and sustainable practices.

In many regions, women have been custodians of seed preservation, soil regeneration techniques, and traditional ecological knowledge that fosters biodiversity and resilience. For instance, in India, the women-led Navdanya movement has championed seed sovereignty and biodiversity conservation. In Africa’s Sahel region, women have led grassroots reforestation efforts through agroecology, helping combat desertification and improve food security.

Despite this, women often lack secure land tenure, access to credit, or representation in natural resource governance. Structural gender inequalities, compounded by legal and cultural barriers, limit women’s capacity to influence environmental decision-making at all levels.

Gender Inequities in Access and Control Over Resources

The uneven distribution of natural resources is not gender-neutral. Laws and customs in many countries restrict women’s land ownership, inheritance rights, or access to forest and water resources. According to the World Bank, less than 20% of landholders globally are women. Without legal ownership, women’s roles as resource users and protectors are marginalized, and their contributions remain undervalued or invisible.

Lack of access to land and resources also deepens women’s economic insecurity and vulnerability to environmental shocks. For example, in the aftermath of natural disasters or during periods of drought, women and girls often bear the burden of walking farther for water and fuel, or skipping meals to feed their families. Climate change disproportionately impacts women in poor and marginalized communities, making it crucial that they have equal say in mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Governance and the Inclusion of Women

Effective natural resource governance hinges on principles of participation, equity, transparency, and accountability. Inclusive governance frameworks that recognize the rights and knowledge of women not only improve environmental outcomes but also foster more democratic and just societies.

Research consistently shows that when women are involved in resource governance—whether in forest management committees, water user associations, or land rights negotiations—there are tangible benefits. A study in Nepal found that community forest groups with a higher proportion of women had improved forest regeneration and better compliance with regulations. In India, water user groups with women leaders saw more efficient irrigation systems and equitable water distribution.

However, inclusion must go beyond tokenism. It is not enough to merely increase women’s numerical representation in resource management bodies. True participation requires enabling women to exercise voice and influence, which involves addressing power imbalances, investing in capacity building, and creating safe spaces for women’s leadership to flourish.

Environmental Limits and Intergenerational Equity

Respecting environmental limits is a cornerstone of sustainability. Women, particularly in Indigenous and local communities, often uphold values of stewardship and intergenerational responsibility that align with long-term ecological thinking. Their approaches tend to prioritize community well-being, regeneration, and resilience over short-term extraction or profit.

By integrating women’s knowledge and leadership into resource governance, societies can shift toward development models that live within ecological boundaries. Women-led movements have long been at the forefront of environmental justice struggles—from the Chipko movement in India to Indigenous women defending the Amazon against deforestation. These movements not only protect ecosystems but also challenge exploitative economic systems that commodify nature and marginalize communities.

Social Equity and Justice in Resource Distribution

Equitable natural resource management is intrinsically tied to broader struggles for social justice. Access to clean water, arable land, and forest products is often a matter of survival for marginalized populations, particularly women in the Global South. When resources are privatized, monopolized, or degraded, it is women who bear the heaviest costs.

Policies and governance systems must therefore center equity, ensuring that benefits and burdens of resource use are shared fairly. This includes recognizing and compensating women’s unpaid labor in environmental stewardship, protecting customary rights, and redistributing control over resources.

Intersectionality is key here. The experiences of rural women, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and others facing multiple layers of marginalization must inform policy frameworks. One-size-fits-all approaches risk reinforcing existing inequalities rather than dismantling them.

Strengthening Democratic Institutions Through Women’s Leadership

Women’s participation in natural resource governance also has profound implications for democracy. When women engage in environmental decision-making, they contribute to more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance systems. Their leadership styles often emphasize consensus-building, collaboration, and conflict resolution—qualities essential for managing competing interests in resource use.

Furthermore, natural resource management can serve as an entry point for women’s broader political participation. Local environmental committees and land cooperatives offer platforms for women to exercise leadership, build networks, and influence policy. This grassroots engagement can gradually shift gender norms and open doors to higher levels of political representation.

Conversely, when women are excluded from governance, it undermines democratic legitimacy and weakens the social contract. Resource conflicts, corruption, and environmental degradation flourish in contexts where power is concentrated and accountability is lacking.

Global Frameworks and Policy Recommendations

Several international frameworks recognize the need to empower women in environmental governance. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially Goals 5 (gender equality), 13 (climate action), and 15 (life on land)—highlight the interdependence of gender equity and ecological sustainability. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) both call for gender-responsive strategies.

Yet implementation remains uneven. To move from rhetoric to action, governments, donors, and civil society must:

1. Ensure Women’s Land and Resource Rights
   Strengthen legal frameworks that guarantee women’s land ownership, inheritance, and access to common property resources.
2. Promote Gender-Responsive Governance Structures
   Support women’s participation in all levels of decision-making, from village councils to national environmental ministries, with adequate training and resources.
3. Recognize and Value Women’s Ecological Knowledge
   Incorporate women’s traditional and local knowledge into conservation, climate adaptation, and resource management plans.
4. Invest in Women’s Environmental Leadership
   Fund women-led environmental initiatives and support networks that amplify their voices in national and international forums.
5. Apply Intersectional Approaches
   Design policies that address the diverse needs and realities of women from different backgrounds and social positions.
6. Link Environmental and Democratic Reforms
   Embed gender equity and environmental justice into broader governance reforms that promote transparency, participation, and human rights.

The sustainable and equitable management of natural resources is one of the defining challenges of our time. Women are not only disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and exclusion from resource governance—they are also key to the solutions. Their knowledge, leadership, and lived experiences offer pathways toward resilience, justice, and sustainability.

Empowering women to participate fully in environmental governance strengthens democratic institutions, promotes social equity, and helps societies live within ecological limits. The question is not whether women should be included in natural resource management—it is whether societies can afford not to.