In Season 3 of Branching out: the forest podcast, we explore how scientists in IUFRO collaborate across disciplines to tackle emerging topics through Task Forces. We continue the Season with the Task Force on Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Forest-Related Sectors - ForGEDI.

Host Gerda Wolfrum from IUFRO Headquarters and co-host Bashir Isiya, Nigeria, from the International Forestry Students' Association (IFSA), spoke with Task Force co-leads Todora Rogelja from the University of Padova, Italy, and Rattiya Lippe from the Thuenen Institute of Forestry, Germany. 

The conversation highlighted entrenched power and governance structures that determine who is excluded from participation and denied rights, including access to forest resources. Globally, there are many examples of women, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, and other groups that have managed forests well yet remain underrepresented in decision-making. 

"Without including the perspectives of those who directly depend on the forest and who nurture the forest the most, policy decisions are incomplete and often ineffective and reinforce already existing inequalities," said Todora Rogelja.

There are also many success stories about how GEDI can be integrated into forest-related decision making. Rattiya Lippe refers to a book titled Women as stewards of forests (Tropenbos International, Tropical Forest Issues, edited by Todora Rogelja and Luca Kroese). She highlights the story of an Indonesian woman called Westhi Wigaringtyas or Wiga who helped to significantly increase women's participation in decision making and forest management. 

In the end, as Rattiya put it, "advancing gender equity, diversity and inclusion is not just about inviting more people to the table or representing diversity symbolically. What is required is transforming the culture and structure of the forest sector to make participation generally meaningful."

In this episode you will also learn about the successful ForGEDI Massive Open Online Course (ForGEDI MOOC), about research publications and major upcoming meetings involving the Task Force, and about the plans for a ForGEDI Photo Exhibition and Contest at the 2029 IUFRO World Congress in Nairobi, Kenya.

What is a main takeaway? If forests are to sustain life on earth in this era of multiple crises, the systems that are governing forests need to reflect the diversity of those who depend on forests, and who understand and steward them. After all, "GEDI is not a moral add-on", Todora stated. "It's not a badge that we put onto our suit. It is the precondition for legitimacy, resilience, effective action and a regenerative society."

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