Women and equity in the EUDR

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), enacted in 2023, aims to combat deforestation and forest degradation associated with high-risk commodities such as palm oil, cocoa, and beef. While its primary focus is environmental sustainability, concerns have arisen regarding its social impacts, particularly for women in smallholder and forest-dependent communities. This study examines the risks and opportunities the EUDR presents for women in agricultural and forest value chains, employing an intersectional approach. It explores how the regulation could either jeopardize tenure rights and livelihoods or enhance women’s roles in sustainable production systems.
The study also highlights the contributions of the Team Europe Initiative and the SAFE project in promoting gender equity within EUDR implementation. By focusing on legal, technical, and market-based opportunities, it underscores the importance of gender-responsive due diligence frameworks, digital data literacy, and market access for women producers. With appropriate safeguards and targeted support, the EUDR has the potential to create a more inclusive and equitable system, empowering women as forest stewards and smallholder producers while aligning with the EU’s broader sustainability goals.

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This works is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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