Gender-neutral programs undermine conservation goals and human rights; therefore, making women’s contributions visible and rewarding them is essential to achieving environmental and social sustainability aims. This latest FOLUR Practical Note includes the summary of the application of the W+ Standard in India, Mexico and Nepal.
- In India: The results showed a 101% increase in women’s income and assets, and a 127% increase in leadership results from 2021–24. An independent verification of the W+ credits generated by these outcomes was completed in February 2024, verifying the generation of 778,286 W+ credits for 75,000 women.
- In Mexico: The results showed 40% in the area of women’s leadership, a 52% increase in income and assets, and a 120% increase in education and knowledge across the subprojects from 2017–24. This in turn generated a total of 13,911 W+ credits for 653 women.
- In Nepal: The results showed an average improvement of 39% in women leaders’ personal transformations and the changes they led in their CFUGs over the past 40 years.
Strengthening women’s leadership in groups working together to improve their livelihoods, as well as in community, district, and national decision-making bodies affecting natural resource management has been shown to yield positive results.
Authors: P. Kristjanson, B. Gurung, J. Gurung, J. Mollins
FOLUR PRACTICAL NOTE #2
