Why we need women’s leadership for NBS

A recent working paper from the World Resources Institute highlights the pivotal role rural women play in implementing Nature-based Solutions (NBS). Emphasizing their significance, the study stresses the necessity of increased support for women’s participation in NBS, highlighting their crucial role in the success of such initiatives. Recognizing gender as integral to climate change solutions, the paper underscores women’s leadership in natural resource management and the potential positive outcomes tied to their involvement.

Researchers delved into four NBS approaches and deeply analyzed three Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) projects across different regions. Through qualitative research, they identified gender dimensions within these projects, uncovering barriers women often face in participating and benefiting from NBS. These include unequal access to resources like land, credit, inputs, and technology, alongside gender norms influencing decision-making within households and communities.

The study proposes crucial recommendations to enable gender-responsive NBS projects:

1. Develop institutional gender policies for NBS projects
2. Conduct gender analyses during project baseline data collection
3. Set explicit gender goals and targets within project frameworks
4. Ensure gender-balanced project staff for diverse perspectives
5. Implement strategies to incentivize women’s engagement
6. Collaborate with local women’s groups to empower women
7. Integrate gender-responsive practices in monitoring and evaluation systems

The paper emphasizes the importance of prioritizing gender and social aspects alongside technical elements in NBS interventions. It advocates for heightened awareness, training, and integration of gender-sensitive policies and practices in NBS initiatives to ensure equitable participation and benefits for both women and men.

Recognizing the necessity to address gender disparities in climate solutions, this paper serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers striving to create more inclusive and impactful Nature-based Solutions against climate challenges.