The Natural Power of Women

Women and Natural Resource ManagementCraig LeisherSenior Social ScientistThe Nature Conservancy

Women and men use forests differently

2000 - 2006 % change in forest condition in 64 locally

managed forests in India

77.4

87.9

70 75 80 85 90

Men-only (1 or zero woman) on mangement board

Women on management board

Improvement in forest coverSource: Agarwal 2009

12.5%

15%

22%

No women on executive committee

Women on executive committee

Return on equityEurope and BRIC companies, 2007-2009

n = 279Source: McKinsey & Company 2010

41%

11%

15%

No women on board of directors

Women on board of directors

Return on equityUS Fortune 500 companies, 2004-2008

n = 524Source: Catalyst 2011

46%

12%

16%

No women on board of directors

Women on board of directors

Return on equityGlobal companies, 2005-2011

n = 2,359Source: Credit Suisse 2012

30%

Why gender diversity makes a difference

• The majority group improves its own performance in response to minority involvement

• Better conflict resolution

• Fewer high-risk strategies are selected

• Fosters a better balance in leadership skills

• Able to tap into the widest possible pool of talent

More sustainable resource use = Less time to collect resource and more consistent income for women = More long-term investments in areas such as education =More boys and girls in school.

Select countries’ total fertility rate by education level

7.26.7

6.1 5.9

4.9

3.6

7.0

5.55.1

4.33.8

3.1

4.8

3.2

2.02.4 2.2 2.5

0

2

4

6

8

Niger 2006

Kenya 2003

Ethiopia 2005

Haiti 2005

Philippines 2005

Bangledesh 2004

Tota

l fe

rtili

ty r

ate

No education Primary Secondary or higherSource: Population Reference Bureau

Thank you

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