Women in forest communities need louder voice

For immediate release

International Women's Day - women in forest communities need louder voice

Background: To mark the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day on Tuesday March 8th 2011, IUCN is calling for women in forest communities to be given more control of the management of forests and to be involved in decisions relating to them.

Women across the developing world are primary users of forest resources and their sale of non-timber forest products is vital to the livelihood of many families. Their heavier dependence on forests also means that women have more at stake than men when forests are cut down or forest access is denied.

During the International Year of Forests, IUCN says that the needs and concerns of women are often neglected because the ownership of forests is largely under the control of men. IUCN is calling for women's needs to be given higher priority and to form an integral part of the management of forests and their resources.

ENDS

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