Breaking the grassland glass ceiling

Research on gender and ruminant livestock production in grasslands is scarce, particularly regarding gender-disaggregated data on access to resources, sustainable management practices, and benefits. This lack of knowledge may reinforce gender stereotypes and myths on extensive livestock production, such as men owning cattle and other large animals while women keep smaller animals near the home. Although this perception is accurate in many regions, it overlooks other important realities, such as in South American grasslands, where national statistics show that at least two out of ten cattle ranches are led by women dedicated to beef production. The lack of attention to gender dynamics in grasslands coincides with the irreversible transformation of many pastoral social-ecological systems. Women’s crucial roles in maintaining, transforming, or abandoning grasslands are understudied, and research paradigms often fail to highlight their contributions. Using a case study approach and combining quantitative and qualitative analyses, we revisit the role of women leading cattle ranches in the Pampa biome of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Through existing project outputs and country-level statistics, we offer insights to foster more grounded policies that align with the well-being of women and the sustainable development of grasslands, as outlined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.