Realizing the Opportunities of REDD+: The Importance of Including Women’s Roles in Papua New Guinea’s First National Forest Inventory

This article aims to identify and realize opportunities for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) through consideration of gender issues during the development and implementation of Papua New Guinea’s first National Forest Inventory (NFI). To improve the planning and management of forests, the agenda is to achieve sustainability of ecosystem services, uncover economic and social values, and contribute to combating climate change and biodiversity loss at the global level. In the context of the NFI, we canvass three thematic areas of forest practice which, in assimilating women’s roles, knowledge, and interests, promise a positive impact on economic efficiency and development. They are (1) women fostering the reduction of emissions from deforestation, forest degradation, and other management objectives, which include conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks or REDD+; (2) women and sustainable forest management; and (3) women in community forestry. The conclusion gauges the general role of women in forestry and summarizes future research directions, through policy recommendations, and technological and institutional interventions.