FAO launches ‘4 WINS’ approach to advance women’s entrepreneurship in forest economies

Rome – As part of the celebrations for International Women’s Day on 8 March, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has unveiled a new model for strengthening women’s leadership and entrepreneurship in the world’s forest sectors.

Highlighted in a new FAO paper, “When women transform forestry: The 4WINS approach towards equitable entrepreneurship and leadership across the forest sector”, the Wider access, Innovation, Natural resources conservation and Sustainable Practices (4 WINS) approach provides a strategic framework to advance gender equality while driving social, economic and environmental gains across forest value chains.

“Across continents, we’ve seen that investing in women’s leadership within the forest sector pays off many times over,” said Zhimin Wu, FAO Assistant Director‑General and Director of the Forestry Division. “The 4 WINS approach captures that insight – showing how gender equality, sustainable resource use and thriving local economies reinforce one another. It’s about turning recognition of women’s roles into real opportunity and shared progress.”

Four pathways to inclusive forest economies

Globally, nearly one billion women depend directly on forests for their livelihoods. Among those living on less than USD 1.25 per day and relying on natural resources for work, women make up the majority. Yet persistent inequalities – insecure land rights, limited access to markets and finance, and disproportionate unpaid care work – continue to restrict their economic potential and participation in forest governance.

FAO’s 4 WINS approach underlines that addressing these barriers is essential to achieving inclusive forest economies and the Sustainable Development Goals, and outlines four mutually reinforcing pathways for action:

• Access to markets, financing and decision‑making processes;
• Innovation driven by diverse knowledge systems and inclusive leadership;
• Natural resources conservation and restoration through equitable stewardship; and
• Sustainable practices that strengthen forest resilience and livelihoods.

Drawing on evidence from Africa, Asia and Latin America, the paper demonstrates that when women have secure rights, access to technology, and active participation in governance, sector outcomes improve measurably – from income generation to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.

Turning evidence into policy and investment

The FAO paper explains that programmes and initiatives in which FAO participates – such as the Forest and Farm Facility, Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme, Mountain Partnership and the WeCaN Initiative – offer concrete evidence of how women‑led enterprises and collective action are already delivering on the 4 WINS vision.

It argues that by operationalizing the 4 WINS approach, governments and partners can accelerate progress toward inclusive forest economies, resilient landscapes and sustainable development for all.