Gender and Forests in Costa Rica

CASE STUDIES ON GENDER AND FORESTS IN COSTA RICA

NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGY Disclaimer This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank developed in collaboration with staff from the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy. The findings, interpretations, and views expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank, its Executive Directors, or the governments that they represent.

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Acknowledgements This document was prepared by a team comprising Andrea Quesada-Aguilar, Thais Aguilar, staff of the Costa Rican REDD+ Secretariat (María Elena Herrera, Elena Florian, and Héctor Arce), and World Bank staff (Stavros Papageorgiou). The graphic design was done by Estudio Relativo. The team would like to thank the REDD+ Secretariat for its logistical and financial support for carrying out the field visits, as well as the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and its donor countries for financing this report.

This publication is a component of the Gender Action Plan of Costa Rica’s National REDD+ Strategy, and forms part of the initiatives that the National REDD+ Secretariat has carried out since 2011 to adequately address gender issues in REDD+ related processes. These processes are based on the Gender and REDD+ Roadmap developed by the REDD+ Secretariat in 2016. Through these initiatives, including this work, the REDD+ Secretariat carried out the first analysis of the current situation in the country in terms of forests, gender, and climate change mitigation, including this work.

To obtain the information for this work, several field visits were organized during 2018 and interviews were conducted with government officials, members of local communities, and other relevant stakeholders. All of the interviews and photographs contained in this work were obtained with the informed consent of the persons involved, granted during the field visits.

The team wishes to express its deep gratitude to the men and women of the local communities who contributed to this work by sharing their experiences.

EN-REDD+ National REDD+ Strategy INAMU National Women’s Institute REDD+ Reducing Emissions from FCPF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility MINAE Ministry of Environment and Energy Deforestation and Forest FONAFIFO Costa Rica Forest Financing Fund PAM Policies, Actions, and Measures of Degradation GAP Gender Action Plan of the National the REDD+ Strategy PROFOR Program on Forests (World Bank) REDD+ Strategy SINAC National Conservation Areas System

Introduction

Costa Rica was one of the first developing countries to • Gender analysis of the current situation, including actions to succeed in reversing deforestation and increasing its forest recognize and empower women as relevant stakeholders. cover, transitioning from covering 20% in the 1980s to 53% • Institutional strengthening and sensitization for the of its national territory today. This was possible due to the implementation of a gender-responsive EN-REDD+. implementation of several innovative public policies that • Design of a gender-responsive process for the included restrictions to forest land use change; the expansion implementation of the EN-REDD+. of the National Protected Areas system to include 25% of the country’s land area; and the creation of a consumption tax on The objective of the gender analysis was to improve the fossil fuels that generates revenues to promote programs to understanding of the country’s current situation with regard reduce deforestation and forest degradation, promote forest to forests, gender, and climate change mitigation. To carry conservation and restoration, and improve forest carbon stocks out this analysis, a “bottom up” participatory approach was through Payments for Environmental Services (PES). adopted to complement national data based on the realities, needs, and priorities of rural women in Costa Rica. For this In recent years, the government of Costa Rica has recognized purpose, different communities were visited in priority forest the importance of adequately addressing gender equality conservation and management areas to identify case studies, issues in REDD+1 processes. Since 2011, the REDD+ Secretariat inequalities, opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned in has been working to integrate gender equality into different relation to gender equality and forests. processes associated with the preparation of the National REDD+ Strategy (EN-REDD+), in partnership with gender Documenting the different experiences of women’s experts, civil society organizations, groups of indigenous associations and women who contribute to the protection women, and rural smallholder forest producers. and sustainable management of forests was one of the main actions for the gender analysis. This activity was of As part of these efforts, a workshop was organized in 2016 to great importance for the country, since, despite the efforts of define and design a critical roadmap on gender to incorporate certain institutions, much of the information on forest project this issue in the preparation process of the EN-REDD+. Based experiences that have incorporated a gender perspective on this roadmap, the REDD+ Secretariat, with the support of remains undocumented. This documents presents a set the World Bank, commenced a process in April 2018 for the of case studies that were identified during the process of development of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) of the EN-REDD+ development of the EN-REDD+ Gender Action Plan. The which proposes three lines of action and a series of activities aim is that this summary will be the start of a process for for each line. The three lines of action for the development of documenting women’s voices and their contributions to the the GAP are: conservation and sustainable management of forests, and for this document to continue incorporating more and more contributions and success stories nationwide.

1 Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation FOREST-RELATED ACTIVITIES

Water Cocoa Fires Seeds

Organic Farming Ecotourism Indigenous Peoples Agroforestry System

Handicrafts Education Forest Management Nurseries

Analog Forestry Livestock Payments for Environmental Services

FOREST-RELATED ACTIVITIES

1. Women forest owners involved 10. Hojarte produces handicrafts made 17. Autochthonous Seed Protection in the Forest Management and with the seeds of native species. Program and Model Farm “La Libre” Certification Project as an option 11. Women farmers of the of the Sancarleña Network of Rural for the conservation of tropical Guanacasteca Organic Agro Women (Rescamur). forests (MAFOR Project). Association. 18. The Association Commission of 2. Women lead novel ecotourism 12. Co-led forest fire brigades from Indigenous Women of Talamanca initiatives through “Caminos Cerros de Jesús. (ACOMUITA) promotes cocoa de Osa”. 13. Global Alliance for Green farming on agroforestry farms and 3. Water resource management from and Gender Action (GAGGA) ethno-tourism. a gender perspective. of the International Analog 19. Women’s home in Yorkín diversifies 4. Luis Jorge Poveda Álvarez Forestry Network (IAFN) and livelihoods, promotes conservation, Arboretum involves youth in Agroecologic Reserve El Toledo and strengthens culture. environmental education. promote women’s involvement in 20. Traditional indigenous farms are 5. Morpho de Osa Tours offers an analog forestry. agroforestry systems of great economic alternative for women 14. The Protection and Fire Program in importance for women and through ecotourism. the Guanacaste Conservation Area conservation. 6. Women artisans design wood (ACG) involves men and women of 21. Asociación Kátsako (Women products with unique identity. all ages. Defenders of the Land) empowers 7. The Association of Active Women 15. Participation of women and youth women, creates economic of the Biological Corridor Alexander in livestock activities in Santa Cruz, opportunities, and revives Skutch (AMACOBAS) promotes Turrialba. traditional agroforestry practices. organized production and 16. Experiences with Payments for 22. The Indigenous Womens environmental education. Environmental Services Payments Association Cabécar Kábata 8. Female organic farmers of the (PES) and their contribution to Konana brings together women Nicoya Peninsula. women’s development. from different communities to 9. Women-led tree nurseries. promote forest conservation and sustainable management initiatives. 11 14 10 16 15

21 20 22

18 2 12

7 4 6 1 3 OSA PENINSULA

1. WOMEN FOREST OWNERS INVOLVED IN THE FOREST MANAGEMENT AND CERTIFICATION PROJECT AS AN OPTION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF TROPICAL FORESTS (MAFOR PROJECT)

This project works with forest owners from the Marketing women forest-owners who have implemented actions aimed Cooperative of Oil Palm Producers of the Osa Peninsula at promoting their participation and building their capacities. (OSACOOP) and the OSA Forest Management Association Thanks to such processes, some of these owners are now (AMAOSA). The initiative seeks to foster forest conservation implementing forest management pilot plans, which are and improve families’ livelihoods through sustainable forest supervised by a young woman from AMAOSA. management (SFM). Within this group of families, there are 2. WOMEN LEAD NOVEL ECOTOURISM INITIATIVES THROUGH “CAMINOS DE OSA”

Caminos de Osa is an initiative that arose in 2015 to create a with local flavors and recipes, thus allowing them to develop sustainable rural tourism destination on the Osa Peninsula. innovative culinary offerings and create a unique locally-based This project includes the participation of 40 entrepreneurs menu unique to the Osa Peninsula. These activities represent from the area, including women, senior citizens, and youth, an economic alternative for community members whose who have given up gainful activities such as hunting, logging, economic activities previously contributed to deforestation. and illegal gold mining to engage in alternative activities linked The project has actively involved a range of women in tourism to rural community tourism. In 2017, they took part in the activities and decision-making, and the initiative’s president is Cooking Labs initiative, which organized workshops so that currently a woman. This is not merely an economic activity for producers and cooks from this area could learn to experiment these women, but also a means of livelihood for many of them.

3. WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FROM A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

The Association of Communal Aqueduct and Sewer Systems the proper management of water resources and act as (ASADA) was created in La Palma in 2001, and currently important conservation agents due to their interest in taking manages and provides water resources to five communities. It care of nature and their commitment to conserving forests, includes two farms, which receive PES for forest conservation. in exchange for which they receive a PES. The association’s The PES program has been vital in protecting water resources, work with youth also helps raise greater awareness of the as well as generating revenues used for the construction, importance of taking care of forests and its contribution to maintenance, and expansion of the local aqueduct. Most conserving water resources. of ASADA’s members are women, who play a key role in 4. LUIS JORGE POVEDA ÁLVAREZ ARBORETUM INVOLVES YOUTH IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

The arboretum was founded in 2015 with the goal of of Osa’s forests and their species, eventually providing the establishing a collection of living trees for education and community with income from their activity as guides. The scientific research purposes. Initially, the idea was that only arboretum covers an area of 114 hectares, of which 84 adults would be involved in the project, but it was ultimately hectares are forest and 30 hectares will be used for restoration. young people who have participated the most. This project This project helps inform and educate communities on local has included training for a group of youth to act as nature species and represents a potential source for promoting guides at the arboretum, many of whom are women. One of the environmental education activities led by rural women. arboretum’s objectives is to educate people on the importance

5. MORPHO DE OSA TOURS OFFERS AN ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVE FOR WOMEN THROUGH ECOTOURISM

The group of women from the Association Avancemos has families’ own subsistence, rural community tourism, and been working for several years on socioenvironmental issues the development of butterfly houses. After two years of in the Osa Peninsula. These women, some of whom are work, the women had accumulated new knowledge on the partners of illegal gold miners and farmers, made a decision management of butterflies, the production of vegetables to engage in activities that would help them improve their and butterfly host plants, and tourist services. These provide families’ quality of life and contribute on a participatory basis options for communities adjacent to woman-led forests to the conservation of natural resources. In 2012, with the that can help direct drivers of deforestation towards other support of international cooperation, they began to grow productive activities. vegetables in microtechos (small covered areas) for their 6. WOMEN ARTISANS DESIGN WOOD PRODUCTS WITH UNIQUE IDENTITY

The Propi Group was created by the National Women’s Institute and market spaces at national fairs. Many of these artisans (INAMU) to develop a unique identity for the area’s handicrafts. refuse to buy illegally logged wood, which often makes it To achieve this, several professors taught courses to help difficult for them to procure materials. This activity has created promote women artisans’ entrepreneurial and design skills. an economic opportunity for women, while also promoting a Through this process, a group of women established the recognition and sense of ownership of the area’s biodiversity “Dantas de Agua” brand for the production of wood handicrafts and the importance of its conservation through the responsible in the shape of animals found on the Osa Peninsula. The group use of forest resources. provided tools to the artisans and continues to offer training

7. THE ASSOCIATION OF ACTIVE WOMEN OF THE BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR ALEXANDER SKUTCH (AMACOBAS) PROMOTES ORGANIZED PRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

The Association of Active Women of the Biological Corridor management, local community tourism, and environmental Alexander Skutch (Amacobas) is located in Santa Elena, education. They were motivated to create the association Pérez Zeledón, and benefits seven rural communities. to generate income for their families and help preserve the Amacobas was created in 2012 by 50 women living in the environment, while also conserving the area’s cultural identity. communities near the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor. The association currently organizes a number of environmental The association’s mission is to include rural women in income- fairs to educate the community and sell its products, as well as generating activities through agricultural and handicrafts leading different activities to protect and reforest areas located production. The women involved are focused on community near springs and headwaters. HOJANCHA, GUANACASTE

8. FEMALE ORGANIC FARMERS OF THE NICOYA PENINSULA

The Cantonal Agricultural Center of Hojancha (CACH) has them are involved in productive activities, gathering seeds implemented an action strategy based on the promotion of for forest plantations, and activities tied to tourism and non- reforestation and the establishment of commercial forest timber forest products. These activities have strengthened plantations, supporting the entire forest cycle ranging from women’s commitment to forest conservation and helped the creation of nurseries, demonstration plots, and technical build their capacities to undertake conservation or organic assistance to the management of soft credits and PES for agricultural production activities while creating sustainable private property owners. In the case of women, many of economic alternatives. 9. WOMAN-LED TREE NURSERIES

There are a number of nursery initiatives managed by local household economy and the reproduction of the region’s women, some of which include various ornamental species native plants. This activity has the potential to contribute to native to the region and other commercial species, which the restoration of agricultural landscapes, enrich secondary attract pollinators and seed dispersers. These nurseries are forests, and create a source of timber for domestic use, thus an opportunity for women to establish their own businesses reducing pressure on forests while also creating an opportunity near their homes. They are also extremely important to for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurialism. them because they allow these women to contribute to their

10. HOJARTE PRODUCES HANDICRAFTS MADE WITH THE SEEDS OF NATIVE SPECIES

The Hojancheñas Artisan Association (Hojarte) is a group of ojo de venado, chumico, and carao. The production of these women artisans that was created ten years ago. At that time, handicrafts provides an opportunity for older women to get the group consisted of 22 people who organized a training involved in activities that contribute to forest conservation course on the native seed macramé and applied this technique by demonstrating the diversity of species in the area and the using seeds to make jewelry. However, the number of members importance of reforestation efforts using native species. This has gradually declined over time. At present, the association group can also provide an opportunity to get young people consists of just five women who create jewelry using the seeds from the community involved by posting these products for of native trees such as guanacaste, gallinazo, uva de playa, sale on the internet and finding new markets.

11. WOMEN FARMERS OF THE GUANACASTECA ORGANIC AGRO ASSOCIATION

Since 2011, the Guanacasteca Organic Agro Association has such as maize, beans, tubers, vegetables, and medicinal plants, promoted the production and exchange of organic products among others. Work is also being done to rescue native criolla with the goal of improving residents’ health and quality of life, seeds with the goal of promoting their use and conserving the as well as local environmental conditions. This association has genetic diversity of traditional crops to help improve the food 25 members with certified organic land plots. Many of these security of smallholders and medium-size producers, while members are women farmers who grow agricultural products also contributing to their adaptation to climate change. 12. CO-LED FOREST FIRE BRIGADES IN CERROS DE JESÚS

The Foundation Cerros de Jesús (Funceje) is part of a Initially, these women were met with different degrees of biological corridor, consisting of approximately 30 people discrimination. Over time, however, the male members have trained as forest fire fighters, of which four to five are women. recognized the value of their work, especially since they are The purpose of the brigades is to protect the forest and the more careful and effective in “finishing off” the fires. Proposing mountains from forest fires. At present, one of the largest actions to support these women presents an opportunity brigades on the Nicoya Peninsula is led by a woman, a first- to formalize dignified green jobs for women and change line fire fighter who was hired by international cooperation for gender stereotypes. a period of one year to lead the brigade and provide training.

13. GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR GREEN AND GENDER ACTION (GAGGA) OF THE INTERNATIONAL ANALOG FORESTRY NETWORK (IAFN) AND AGROECOLOGIC RESERVE EL TOLEDO PROMOTE WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN ANALOG FORESTRY

The International Analog Forestry Network (IAFN) forms part of the country. The Agroecologic Reserve El Toledo consists of the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA). of the establishment of a 7-hectare plot of regenerated natural One of GAGGA’s goals is to empower women through forest to which analog reforestation techniques are applied. analog forestry, a type of landscape restoration that uses One of the reserve’s goals is to promote the involvement natural forests as a guideline. In 2016, the IAFN organized of local women’s groups. Some of these women help with two workshops with Costa Rican women’s associations to the groups’ logistical aspects, such as meals and lodging, consolidate and build their capacities and introduce them while others provide services to tourists such as handicraft to analog forestry as an inclusive rural development tool sales and cultural experiences. The hope is that they will necessary to tackle the challenges of climate change. During become involved in the future in environmental education and these workshops, the women requested support for the reforestation activities. implementation of analog forestry projects in different parts GUANACASTE CONSERVATION AREA

14. THE PROTECTION AND FIRE PROGRAM OF THE GUANACASTE CONSERVATION AREA (ACG) INVOLVES MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES

In 1988, the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG) established in each one of the neighboring communities. The brigades the Forest Fire Protection and Control Program. This program include a significant number of women who provide logistical has a long history, including the formation of community support and prepare meals. However, there are also women brigades engaged in education work and the prevention of forest fire fighters who respond to fires and prepare the soil fires in the communities. These brigades consist of volunteer during the rainy season. These brigades offer a space for fire fighters, natural resource supervision committees, and women of all ages to come together and take ownership of organized groups tasked with promoting environmental local conservation efforts while learning more about the dry education and the control and protection of natural resources forest and the importance of its conservation. TURRIALBA, CENTRAL REGION

15. PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND YOUTH IN LIVESTOCK ACTIVITIES IN SANTA CRUZ, TURRIALBA

A study on livestock activities conducted in Santa Cruz, or valued. In certain areas, there is a higher participation among Turrialba, attempted to determine the ways in which women women, since they are heads of household and livestock is a and young people participate in these types of activities. It family business, although few women take part in decision- found that in the Santa Cruz region, adult men and women, making. These women have an influence on production and as well as young men, participate in livestock production commercialization, but the final decisions are not necessarily based on defined roles: men participate in production while up to them. The data from this case study were included in the women in sub-activities derived from livestock production and Livestock National Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) of management. In many cases, it was observed that women’s Costa Rica. contributions, in the form of time and effort, are not recognized SARAPIQUÍ, NORTHERN AREA

16. EXPERIENCES WITH PAYMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PES) AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT

The Foundation for the Development of the Central Volcanic the PES system. The titles to these properties are jointly held, Mountain Range (Fundecor) is an organization that seeks helping to ensure a shared, more equitably distributed income to contribute to the comprehensive management of the for the famies. For many of the owners, the PES has provided landscape. It currently provides technical support for the them with an annual cash inflow that has enabled them to management and implementation of different forms of meet livelihood needs, solve problems, and improve their Payments for Environmental Services (PES). The area of families’ wellbeing. Sarapiquí has several families whose farms are managed under 17. AUTOCHTHONOUS SEED PROTECTION PROGRAM AND MODEL FARM “LA LIBRE” OF THE SANCARLEÑA NETWORK OF RURAL WOMEN (RESCAMUR)

The Sancarleña Network of Rural Women (Rescamur) is a exchanged at the fair. The network is currently putting together network of women from different parts of the canton who a cookbook entitled Seed Sanctuary: The Core of Rural Cuisine. are involved in a range of production and forest activities. The network is in charge of managing the “La Libre” agro- Its mission as an organization is to promote spaces for ecological farm, which is a small successional agroforestry plot development and knowledge among the rights and duties of dedicated to the conservation of natural species, where farming the region’s women in harmony with the environment. The is done without agrochemicals or transgenics. The women of network organizes the Fair of Rural Women and Autochthonous Rescamur are actively demonstrating to their communities how Seeds. Throughout the year, each one of its members to carry out restoration activities that integrate organic farming contributes seeds to be preserved so that they can later be systems and the conservation of crops’ genetic diversity. BRIBRI INDIGENOUS TERRITORY, TALAMANCA

18. THE ASSOCIATION COMMISSION OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN OF TALAMANCA (ACOMUITA) PROMOTES COCOA FARMING ON AGROFORESTRY FARMS AND ETHNO-TOURISM

The Association Commission of Indigenous Women of autonomy in their decision-making and production activities. Talamanca (Acomuita) is an organization of indigenous women Acomuita’s main activities include cocoa farming and ethno- founded in 1992 and legally incorporated in 1999. It was tourism, through which they seek to demonstrate to the world created to promote indigenous women’s active participation in the importance of the relationship between indigenous women political organizations and decision-making, to foster respect and the tsirú (cocoa). In 2003, the decision was made to create for their cultural identity, and to build their capacities in different the Tsirushka chocolate company to support women growing areas for their effective incorporation into social and economic cocoa on their farms. Acomuita has been one of the key actors development processes in their territory. The organization in REDD+ processes promoting gender equality. This is an consists of 74 members belonging to the Bribri and Cabécar example of the bonds forged with community groups—and not ethnicities, who come from 15 indigenous communities located just local governments—in the REDD+ processes, thanks to the in the canton of Talamanca. Their culture is a matrilineal association’s interest in being included as indigenous women society in which women pass on their clan line (ditsewö, or with the ability to advocate for themselves. seed) from generation to generation and enjoy a high level of 19. WOMEN’S HOME IN YORKÍN DIVERSIFIES LIVELIHOODS, PROMOTES CONSERVATION, AND STRENGTHENS CULTURE

In 1985, the women of Yorkín organized and founded the making handicrafts, and later started to work in ecotourism, Stibrawpa Indigenous Association with the goal of diversifying founding Stibrawpa (the Women’s Home in Yorkín). Each family their means of production, improving their economy, fostering is the owner of a plot of rainforest that they share with visitors. conservation, and strengthening the Bribri culture. Their Since 2000, Stibrawpa has employed women, young men, and objective was to implement new activities to create alternative senior citizens, placing value on the Bribri indigenous women’s sources of income that would allow them to preserve their role and promoting their participation in their traditional culture culture and continue to conserve their forests. They began by and customs.

20. TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FARMS ARE AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR WOMEN AND CONSERVATION

In the Bribri culture, production spaces are identified based such as highly-prized criollo and blanco cocoa. The farm on their relevance to family economies and exchange among plots are generally small, with an area of 5 to 10 hectares, and communities. Women play a key role in the agroforestry include a diverse range of timber and fruit tree species that systems neighboring their houses known as the Ù itö, or play an important role in the production of ecosystem services, “home” in the Bribri language. These systems include an such as protection of water springs. These production systems, abundance of medicinal plants, as well as domestic animals which are significant in transmitting and teaching indigenous such as pigs and chickens. These farms also include cocoa culture, also help foster women’s development. production systems, featuring a significant diversity of strains CABÉCAR INDIGENOUS TERRITORY, TALAMANCA

21. ASOCIACIÓN KÁTSAKO (WOMEN DEFENDERS OF THE LAND) EMPOWERS WOMEN, CREATES ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND REVIVES TRADITIONAL AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES

The Asociación Kátsako was founded in 2006 as an other partners joined in the work being done with plantains, organization seeking to address domestic violence tied to eventually making it possible to build a distribution center alcoholism, drug addiction, and a lack of job opportunities and cut out middlemen so as to obtain better prices for for women. The association started with 21 women, and products. At present, cocoa crops are also being farmed, was founded at a time when non-indigenous peoples were and there is a great deal of motivation to diversify production buying up family properties and women were being left systems, reforest, protect basins, and create other economic without land. Its purpose was to recover the land and help alternatives. The association has provided a space for the the families get ahead through a “mano vuelta” (traditional community to improve its gender relations, and now includes communal work) system, in which women support other both male and female members. It has also helped empower women during planting time, thus enabling them to become women and create opportunities by fostering the economic independent. In 2008, work was begun in parallel with the autonomy of women suffering from domestic problems, while INAMU to prevent domestic violence and develop production improving productive activities aimed at reviving traditional diversification projects with plantains and bananas. Gradually, agroforestry practices. 22. THE INDIGENOUS WOMENS ASSOCIATION CABÉCAR KÁBATA KONANA BRINGS TOGETHER WOMEN FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES

The Association Kábata Konana (Women Protectors of of projects that help improve women’s economic status the Forest and the Mountains) was created in 2016 with a through forest conservation and management activities. The membership of 157 women, with the goal of improving their association is supported by the Indigenous Development quality of life and promoting conservation and sustainable Association of the Cabécar Territory (Aditica), and has forest management initiatives. The association is involved in succeeded in attracting a large number of women in a a series of actions aimed at strengthening culture, protecting very short time who have begun to define the conservation territorial rights, building women’s capacities in different and production activities to be implemented as part of environmental matters, and supporting the management Aditica’s projects.

Conclusion

The case studies presented above capture five key points for In Costa Rica, women are important conservation agents in understanding the links between gender equality and forests, different regions of the country, and are actively involved in the and why it is important to take gender equality into account conservation and sustainable management of forest resources. when designing and implementing forest initiatives: By recognizing, promoting, and valuing their participation • Women and men depend on forests in different ways. and supporting the implementation of the forest activities • Women and men obtain different products and receive they prioritize, it is possible to help reduce deforestation different benefits from forests. and forest degradation in prioritized areas. The objective of • Women and men have different knowledge of, access to, the Gender Action Plan for the Costa Rica National REDD+ and control of forests. Strategy is to establish a strategy that guarantees financial • Women and men experience different gender inequalities resources, technical assistance, and monitoring to empower that affect their full and effective involvement and and support women in these regions, so that they are able to participation in forest projects. implement activities with a significant impact on the country’s • Women and men are conservation agents who contribute priority forest areas, while also recognizing them nationwide differently to the protection and sustainable management of as true conservation agents committed to sustainable forests. forest management.