Indigenous and local values of nature through a gender lens: A literature review

Abstract

Values of nature have different forms and are expressed through a variety of ways, depending on the culture and people in focus. Such values influence decisions and policies made about nature, especially regarding conservation and management. Current decision-making predominately focuses on instrumental and economic values of nature, often neglecting diverse and plural values, including intrinsic and relational ones. Additionally, the voice of marginalized communities such as Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLC), and more so, Indigenous women, is often not recognized, leading to inequitable outcomes. Even though gender has been shown to influence value perceptions, no comprehensive review exists of how it affects values of nature within IPLC. This review aims to close this gap. Through a systematic literature review and thematic analysis, this paper highlights the values of nature and Nature’s Contributions to People held by IPLC and insights of applying a gender lens to existing research in this field. The results indicate a focus on study areas in Asia, South America and Africa, as well as toward forests as ecosystems. The predominant valuation methods include preference assessments and semi-structured interviews. This review shows that IPLC hold diverse values, including instrumental, intrinsic, and relational values. Gendered insights were found to be connected to gendered responsibilities within communities. For example, domestic food products, homegardens, and wild edible plants are often of higher importance to female IPLC, due to their prominent role in household and family care. Research gaps on gendered values have also been shown, especially for religious, spiritual, and cultural heritage values.