The contribution of women in Turkey's forestry sector plays a vital role in maintaining the country's economic and ecological balance. Turkey's forests are of great economic importance as well as ecosystem value. In Turkey, where approximately 40 percent of the forest villagers are women, they actively participate in various forestry activities and make significant contributions to the sector.
According to the statements made by the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM), the contribution of more than 18 thousand women working in forests across the country to the economy cannot be ignored. OGM emphasizes that women workers are a key factor in achieving economic sustainability goals by taking part in various tasks in the sector. Women are not only limited to traditional tasks such as planting or felling trees, but also successfully take part in more technical and complex tasks such as sapling production and fire surveillance.
This diversity allows women, especially in rural areas, to gain economic independence and thus improve their standard of living. Women working in forests not only provide income for their families through their work, but also reinforce their own strength and independence.
OGM Director General Bekir Karacabey stated that women play a critical role in the realization of sustainable forestry policies. Karacabey stated that women support the realization of plans not only as physical labor force, but also with their knowledge and commitment to the sector.
This active participation of women workers is also becoming an important resource in Turkey's fight against climate change. Forests are critical for offsetting carbon emissions.
In particular, sapling cultivation and rejuvenation work is one of the areas where women's labor is intensively involved. The care and labor of women in these works contribute greatly to the regeneration capacity of forests.
The presence of women is an important source of labor among forest villagers and in the sector. This contributes not only to the economic contribution but also to the strengthening of the social structure and women's quest for social justice. Especially for women in rural areas, forestry is a field that provides self-confidence as well as economic independence.
In the statement made by the General Directorate of Forestry on March 8, International Women's Day, these data were brought to the agenda and the role of women in the forest sector was made more prominent. Statements made on such special days create a great opportunity for the importance of women workers to be understood and further evaluated.
The increasing role and economic contribution of women in the forestry sector is critical to achieving Turkey's sustainable development goals. Therefore, it is crucial that the impact of women workers on both economic and social life is further supported and mainstreamed.
