More information
Description
Forestry continues to be perceived as a typically male occupation even though the number of female students of forestry subjects has recently increased to almost 50%. The only research into the situation of women in the State Forest Authority (Lasy Państwowe) was conducted ten years ago. That research found inequality and diversity in equality on a regional scale, and included recommendations for areas that were problematic. In other uniformed services – under the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA), discrimination prevention measures and procedures have been introduced, while in forestry the issue of discrimination against women continues to be considered unimportant.Under the project, a study will be conducted to determine the situation with regard to gender equality in the entire forestry sector, encompassing the state forests, national parks, institutions of higher education, and research institutes. The project will also include four workshops on preventing discrimination for 100 women working in forestry authorities. There are also plans for sharing of know-how with partners based in Iceland and Norway in the form of three study tours. The partners are organizations for women in the forestry sector in those countries. Under the project, the Association will cooperate more closely within the European network of an organization of women forest rangers and women working in the uniformed services. The project will also include a media campaign and two conferences attended by members of the key institutions.The research findings will be published in a report and made public at a conference and during a media campaign. Based on the research findings, and sharing of know-how with the partners, a guidebook on best practices will be produced. The Forest Women Association (Stowarzyszenie Kobiet Lasu) will take measures advocating for the guidebook to be made the official document binding in forestry authorities.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of discrimination against women in forestry. Forestry is still stereotypically perceived as a typically male profession, despite the fact that women make up 28% of the workforce in the State Forests, and the number of female forestry students has increased to nearly 50%. Women are still overlooked for promotions to managerial positions (only 3% of managers are women) and delegated mainly to office work instead of field work. The only study of the situation of women in the State Forests took place 10 years ago. The results of that study showed the existing inequalities and how they vary regionally. Unfortunately, although anti-discrimination measures and procedures have already appeared in other uniformed services, the problem of discrimination against women is still marginalized in forestry - despite recommendations to implement changes.
As part of the project, a survey of the state of gender equality in the forestry ministry was conducted, covering primarily the State Forests. Four editions of anti-discrimination workshops were also conducted for 60 women working in forestry. The workshops focused on recognizing discriminatory behavior and situations, and preventing and responding to unequal treatment. Three study visits were organized to exchange experiences with partners, organizations of women in forestry from Iceland and Norway. A manual of good practices was produced, along with recommendations resulting from the research part of the project. The grantee also conducted advocacy activities to promote gender equality standards in the forestry ministry. Three conferences were organized, including one networking conference, with the participation of female representatives and representatives of key institutions.
Through the project, a debate on gender inequality in the forestry sector in Poland was initiated. Activities were addressed to various groups: decision-makers in the forestry sector, including the Ministry of Environment, the General Directorate of State Forests, the Regional Directorates of State Forests, women working in forestry, women''s rights organizations, etc. Areas where action should be taken to improve the situation of women in forestry have been identified, and standards supporting gender equality have been developed, which in the future, with greater political will, can be successfully implemented in the sector. Important results of the project also include the introduction of gender equality provisions in the forest management certification rules and the establishment of a Women''s Council at the Directorate General of State Forests.
Summary of bilateral results
Cooperation with partners from Norway and Iceland was an added value - it expanded our knowledge about the situation of women in forestry in the Scandinavian countries and the solutions used to support and integrate them. Due to the differences in ownership structure and forest management in Norway and Iceland, not all of presented activities may be directly applied in Poland, but we have gained a lot of new ideas and plans, such as including the owners and employees of companies providing forest services or intensifying cooperation with forest faculties. The result of the discussion with the Norwegian partners was the introduction of requirements regarding equal rights in the sustainable forest management certification standards.The partnership increased the project''s attractiveness and interest among people not directly involved in the activities, helping to promote it and disseminate the results.The international nature of the project also contributed to establishing cooperation with other women''s organizations in forestry from Austria and Germany, as well as foresters from Slovakia, Ukraine, Switzerland and Spain.An additional, unplanned effect of the project is the establishment of the international organization Women in Forestry International, within which joint activities will be carried out. It also includes a partner organization from Iceland, so cooperation will continue. We remain in contact with our Norwegian partners, but they show no desire to continue our activities. The reason may be also personal changes in the management board of Kvinner and Skogbruket.