This study, led by authors affiliated with the Explore network, presents the first systematic review of gender dynamics in forest and climate governance in Myanmar. It synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies research gaps and highlights implications for policy and practice.
Through a structured search process, the authors analysed 26 documents from a pool of 1,027 publications using co-word network analysis and thematic synthesis. The findings reveal persistent gender inequalities across micro, meso and macro levels. Despite women's critical roles in local environmental management, they remain largely excluded from decision-making and equitable benefit-sharing processes.
While national policies acknowledge gender equality, implementation remains limited due to tokenistic efforts, weak accountability and a lack of clear mechanisms. The study recommends shifting from superficial gender mainstreaming to gender-transformative strategies. This requires strengthening women's tenure rights and leadership, integrating gender-sensitive budgeting and monitoring and targeted capacity-building to translate policy commitments into equitable and effective forest and climate action in Myanmar.
