WAVES is RECOFTC’s flagship capacity-building programme on gender equality and social inclusion in the Asia-Pacific region.
WAVES - Weaving Leadership for Gender Equality
Weaving Leadership for Gender Equality (WAVES) is RECOFTC’s flagship capacity-building programme on gender equality and social inclusion in the Asia-Pacific region. It aims at increasing leadership capacity among early-career professionals to tackle systemic inequities and marginalization that often result from the institutionalization of patriarchal norms in the forestry and landscape management sector.
WAVES is based on the idea that stronger leadership and expertise will improve inclusive policy processes and enhance investment in ways to promote gender equality. The programme is a response to our recognition that gender equality and equity are preconditions for sustainable forest governance.
Resources collection
Workshop
Honouring journeys, inspiring futures and leading change together
24 - 27 March 2026
Stories of change
Waves alumnus Namira Asra is leading the Sulawesi Community Foundation’s gender work to ensure equal access, participation, control and benefits
February 2025
Talk of the forest
RECOFTC Nepal has been supporting women in the forestry sector to drive changes that promote gender equality in professional settings and local...
Talk of the forest
The strategy provides institutional direction and makes room for more women in managing Cambodia’s natural resources and forests.
Notes from the field
Media training in Nepal unpacks the gender and social inclusion dimensions of forestry, climate change, land tenure and rights of local communities.
Notes from the field
Lao decision-makers strengthened gender equality provisions in the country’s forest strategy and developed gender action plans with support from Sida...
Notes from the field
Women in the forestry sector must have the same opportunities and respect afforded to men. WAVES is working toward a social transformation.
Talk of the forest
How the WAVES initiative is making a difference for gender equality in the Asia-Pacific region.
Notes from the field
Training empowers women in Indonesia to become advocates for women and gender equality in the environmental and development sectors.
Stories of change
Women leaders in Cambodia’s government lay the foundations for gender equality in the country’s forestry sector.
15 February - 31 March 2021
Perspectives
Women from the Boon Rueang community were instrumental in stopping plans to transform a wetland forest into an industrial complex.
Notes from the field
Two women from Nam Mhaw Village share their stories as part of an assessment conducted by RECOFTC to influence forest policies and laws in Thailand.
16 - 19 December 2020
11 January 2021
Talk of the forest
Lao workers at small wood processing factories share challenges they face, from lack of proper safety training to women being paid less than men.
Talk of the forest
A woman village chief in Cambodia grows a community forestry credit scheme into a self-generating source of income for the community and the...
Talk of the forest
WAVES leaders are proving what can be done to mitigate and adapt to climate change─leaving no one behind.
Talk of the forest
Gender leaders from across Asia discuss the importance of gender equality in natural resource management at the opening of RECOFTC's three-year...
Perspectives
Dr. Kalpana Giri opines a piece for the Bangkok Post following International Women's Day 2019. This piece originally appeared in the Bangkok Post
Dialogue
05 - 08 March 2019
February 2019
Notes from the field
Mayumi Sato reflects on the recent "Promoting Gender Equality in Forestry Sector in Lao PDR" workshop and the positive indicators for future gender...
Notes from the field
Kalpana Giri and Shambhu Dangal provide their notes on a recent event hosted as part of the Center's and HIMAWANTI's Women's Leadership Circle...
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WAVES - Weaving Leadership for Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific region