When gender inclusion is not enough: women's contributions to ecosystem restoration in Latin America

Ecosystem restoration in Latin America is critical to achieve global sustainability goals, yet the gender dimension remains inadequately integrated. We argue that a simplistic incorporation of gender (often based on Western binary models and focused on quotas) is inadequate for the region's unique socio‐ecological contexts. Drawing on a symposium featuring case studies from women academics, practitioners, and rural communities, we identify key challenges and opportunities to strengthen women's contributions to ecosystem restoration in the region. Challenges include women's persistent marginalization, a lack of gender‐sensitive knowledge and vision, and inequalities in workload distribution, payment, leadership, and land tenure. Opportunities are rooted in the region's biocultural diversity and include creating collaborative spaces for interaction and learning among academics, practitioners, and communities; fostering alliances with a ‘sisterhood’ perspective; and implementing robust mentorship programs. We conclude that integrating a nuanced gender perspective, grounded in Latin American feminist and community‐centered thought, is essential for achieving equitable and effective restoration outcomes.