The Impact of Empowering Rural Women on Achieving Sustainable Development and Environmental Conservation (A Synthesis Study)

جغرافیا و مخاطرات محیطی

Volume 14, Issue 2 - Serial Number 54, June 2025, Pages 199-222   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/geoeh.2025.85466.1432

Authors

Mahtab Moosavi¹; Amir Ali Borouamand¹; Fatemeh Tabatabaei Yazdi^{* 2}

¹Department of Environmental Planning and Management and HSE, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

²Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

 Women are considered one of the most important social groups, consistently highlighted in both theoretical and practical studies on "sustainability." Therefore, the present study, using a qualitative approach and the synthesis research method, examined the impact of empowering rural women on achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation. In this study, after conducting a comprehensive search, screening specialized literature, and multi-stage selection of credible scientific documents, open, axial, and selective coding of the findings was performed. The results revealed that the contexts and factors influencing/being influenced by the empowerment of rural women include "fundamental, institutional-organizational, and structural factors," "historically institutionalized inequalities," "unjust contexts of gender-sexual discrimination," and "transformative contexts." The challenges and obstacles to empowering rural women include "psychological challenges and obstacles," "educational challenges and obstacles," "lack of community participation," "economic challenges and obstacles," "legal limitations," "socio-cultural limitations," and "gender-based entrepreneurial limitations." Strategies for empowering rural women include "highlighting the role of women in sustainable rural development processes," "increasing access to creative, innovative, and modern technology ecosystems," "adopting a uniform approach to women's issues," "policy solutions for women's empowerment," and "modeling and presenting appropriate models." Additionally, the effects and benefits of empowering rural women include "stabilizing ownership, power, and role-playing contexts for women," "sustainable environmental conservation through women's role-playing," and "sustainable economic growth and social development through women's roleplaying." In conclusion, the path to sustainable development and environmental conservation can begin with educating rural women and enhancing their capabilities, as there is a sequential cycle connecting environmental education, the empowerment of rural women, their active participation, and the achievement of environmental conservation. 
 EXTENDED ABSTRACT
Introduction
Women, as one of the most important social groups, have always been a focus in theoretical and practical studies related to "sustainability" and "environmental conservation." According to the latest scientific findings and documents, their role in sustainable development and environmental conservation has been increasingly emphasized, particularly because women, especially in rural areas, have a significant impact on environmental and economic sustainability due to their direct connection with natural resources and family responsibilities. Empowering rural women not only improves their economic and social status but is also recognized as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation. However, this process faces numerous challenges and obstacles that require careful examination and effective solutions. The present study, using a qualitative approach and the synthesis research method, investigates the impact of empowering rural women on achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation. The main objective of this research is to identify the contexts, influencing factors, challenges, solutions, and effects of empowering rural women in line with achieving sustainability goals.
Material and Methods
This study was conducted using the synthesis research method and a qualitative approach. In the first stage, a comprehensive search was conducted in reputable scientific databases to collect articles, reports, and documents related to the empowerment of rural women and its connection to sustainable development and environmental conservation. After the search, a multi-stage screening process was carried out to select relevant and credible scientific documents. In the next stage, the extracted data from these documents were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding methods. Open coding helped identify initial and microlevel concepts, axial coding organized and categorized these concepts, and finally, selective coding established relationships between the concepts and shaped the theoretical framework of the research. This data analysis process led to the identification of contexts, influencing factors, challenges, solutions, and effects of empowering rural women.
Results and Discussion
Contexts and Factors Influencing/Influenced by the Empowerment of Rural Women The findings of this study revealed that the empowerment of rural women is influenced by several factors, which are divided into four main categories:
1. Fundamental, Institutional-Organizational, and Structural Factors: These factors include policies, laws, and institutional structures that influence women's empowerment. For example, supportive laws and incentive policies can enhance women's participation in economic and social activities.
2. Historically Institutionalized Inequalities: Gender inequalities that have been historically ingrained in rural societies are a major obstacle to women's empowerment. These inequalities include limited access to resources, education, and employment opportunities.
3. Unjust Contexts of Gender-Sexual Discrimination: Gender discrimination in rural societies deprives women of equal opportunities to participate in economic and social activities.
4. Transformative Contexts: These contexts include opportunities that can lead to positive changes in the status of rural women, such as access to modern technologies, specialized training, and support networks.
Challenges and Obstacles to the Empowerment of Rural Women
The empowerment of rural women faces numerous challenges and obstacles, including:
1. Psychological Challenges and Obstacles: Lack of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and confidence among rural women are major barriers to their empowerment.
2. Educational Challenges and Obstacles: Limited access to quality education and a lack of girls' educational centers in rural areas hinder the enhancement of women's capabilities. 
 3. Lack of Community Participation: The absence of community involvement in women's empowerment programs and negative attitudes toward these programs are significant challenges.
4. Economic Challenges and Obstacles: Insufficient funding for empowerment programs and the financial difficulties faced by rural women hinder the achievement of sustainability goals.
5. Legal Limitations: Restrictive laws and complex permit acquisition processes for empowerment programs are major obstacles.
6. Socio-Cultural Limitations: Social norms and traditions that confine women to traditional roleshinder their empowerment.
7. Gender-Based Entrepreneurship Limitations: Gender inequalities in access to entrepreneurial opportunities prevent women from participating in economic activities. Strategies for Empowering Rural Women
To overcome the challenges and obstacles to empowering rural women, several strategies have been proposed, including:
1. Highlighting the Role of Women in Sustainable Rural Development Processes: Increasing women's participation in local and supra-local decision-making and strengthening their role in sustainable development projects.
2. Increasing Access to Creative, Innovative, and Modern Technology Ecosystems: Providing online
and virtual education, improving access to high-speed internet, and developing technological infrastructure in rural areas.
3. Uniform Approach to Women's Issues: Creating integrated and coordinated policies for empowering women at local to national levels.
4. Policy Solutions for Women's Empowerment: Formulating supportive laws, providing microcredits, and establishing support networks for rural women.
5. Modeling and Presenting Appropriate Models: Introducing successful examples of rural women's empowerment and encouraging others to follow these models.
Effects and Benefits of Empowering Rural Women
Empowering rural women has numerous positive effects, including:
1. Stabilizing Ownership, Power, and Role-Playing Contexts for Women: Increasing women's access
to financial resources and land, strengthening their decision-making power, and creating suitable
contexts for their role-playing.
2. Sustainable Environmental Conservation with Women's Role-Playing: Women's participation in environmental conservation and sustainable development projects leads to reduced conservation costs and improved natural resource management.
3. Sustainable Economic Growth and Social Development with Women's Role-Playing: Empowering rural women contributes to increased household income, poverty reduction, and improved social development indicators.
Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that empowering rural women plays a key role in achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation. The path to sustainable development and environmental conservation can begin with educating rural women and enhancing their capabilities, as there is a sequential cycle between environmental education, empowering rural women, their active participation, and achieving environmental conservation. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to strengthen the contexts and factors influencing the empowerment of rural women, identify and address existing challenges and obstacles, and implement effective strategies for empowering rural women. Ultimately, empowering rural women not only improves their economic and social status but is also recognized as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation. 

Keywords

Environmental Education; Community-Based Participation; Women’s Empowerment; Gender and Sustainable Development; Sustainable Rural Development

References

Abbasi, R., Fallah, M. R., & Akbari Kajani, A. (2023). Identifying the Antecedents of Value Creation of Basij Sazandegi Organization in the Development of Home. Endowment and Charity Studies, 1(2), 265-288. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22108/ecs.2023.138413.1059

Aghdasi, A. N., & Zeinal Fam, A. (2012). A study of the effective social and environmental factors on female high-school students' drop-out in Miandoab Township in 2010-2011. Education and Evaluation (Educational Sciences), 5(17), 113-130. [In Persian] https://sanad.iau.ir/Journal/jinev/Article/972733

Akbari, H. (2012). The Role of Women in Sustainable Development of the Environment. Women in Development and Politics, 10(4), 27-56. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22059/jwdp.2013.30574

Akter, M. F., Naeem, A., & Didar, A. H. (2021). Relating women's empowerment to microfinance in a small village in Bangladesh by using statistical methodology. South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics, 9(4), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.9734/sajsse/2021/v9i430248

Alemayehu, M., & Meskele, M. (2017). Health care decision making autonomy of women from rural districts  of Southern Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study. International Journal of Women's Health, 213-221.‏ https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s131139

Azimi, N., Alibeigi, A., & Papzan, A., (2023). Assessing rural women’s empowerment in Kermanshah Township. Human Geography Research, 55 (2), 119-134. [In Persian] 10.22059/JHGR.2022.326304.1008332

Badstue, L., Petesch, P., Farnworth, C. R., Roeven, L., & Hailemariam, M. (2020). Women farmers and agricultural innovation: Marital status and normative expectations in rural Ethiopia. Sustainability, 12(23), 9847.  https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239847

Bayeh, E. (2016). The role of empowering women and achieving gender equality to the sustainable development of Ethiopia. Pacific Science Review B: Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(1), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psrb.2016.09.013

Boroumand, A. A., & Tabatabaei Yazdi, F. (2019). The place of women in the development of sustainable ecotourism, Paper presented at the Proceedings of the National Conference of Women and Rural Tourism Development. 357-350. [In Persian] https://civilica.com/doc/979033/

Botkin, D., & Keller, E. (2015). Environmental Science Earth As living planet. In A., Vahabzadeh (eds.), Mashhad: Mashhad Jahad-e-Daneshgahi Publications.  [In Persian] https://www.jdmpress.com/books/67-

Buell, L., Heise, U. K., & Thornber, K. (2011). Literature and environment. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 36, 417-440.‏ https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-111109-144855

Chuta, N. (2017). Young women’s household bargaining power in marriage and parenthood in Ethiopia.‏ Young Lives(Vol. 166).  https://www.younglives-ethiopia.org/sites/default/files/syndicated/YL-WP166-Chuta%2520%25282%2529_0.pdf

Desai, S., Chen, F., Reddy, S., & McLaughlin, A. (2022). Measuring Women's Empowerment in the Global South. Annual Review of Sociology, 48, 507-527. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-030420- 015018 

Enayat, H., & Fathzadeh, H. (2009). A theoretical approach to the concept of ecofeminism. Sociological Studies, 5(2), 45-63.  [In Persian]

Fakuhi, N. (2005). Positive Discrimination as a Mechanism against Deprivation. Women in Development and Politics, 3(3), 115-141. [In Persian] https://jwdp.ut.ac.ir/article_19201.html

Ghasemi, M., Badsar, M., & Falahati, L. (2022). Investigating the Role of Psychological Variables on the Rural Women's Empowerment in Environmental Conservation. Environmental Research, 13(26), 335-354.  [In Persian] https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.20089597.1401.13.26.19.2

Ghosh, A., & Ghosh, A. (2024). Empowering Rural Women in India: Self-help groups as catalysts for development. Futuristic Trends in Social Sciences, 3, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.58532/v3baso27p1ch1 

Isangula, K. G. (2012). Improving Women and Family’s Health through Integrated Microfinance, Health Education and Promotion in Rural Areas. Journal of Sustainable Development, 5(5), 76. https://doi.org/10.5539/JSD.V5N5P76

 

Izadi, H., Khosravipour, B., & Savari Mombani, A. (2012). Explaining the factors affecting the increase in rural women's willingness to protect the environment (Case study: Hassanabad village, Khorramabad). Journal of Geography and Environmental Hazards, 11(2), 175-192. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22067/geoeh.2021.72699.1113

Jafari, A., Parvarinejad, Gh., & Khalilnejadi, S. (2013). The effects of technical and vocational education organization's skill trainings on the establishment of rural women's home businesses (case: Damghan city). Spatial Economics and Rural Development, 12(44), 45-62. [In Persian] https://doi.org/20.1001.1.23222131.1402.12.44.2.2

Jahad-e-Daneshgahi Women's Think Tank. (2024). Examples of Women's Empowerment Projects in Iran and the World (Part One). Published in 12 May 1403, Jahad-e-Daneshgahi Al-Zahra Branch. [In Persian] Online access: https://alzahra.acecr.ac.ir/fa/news/71233

Jejeebhoy, S. J., & Sathar, Z. A. (2001). Women's autonomy in India and Pakistan: the influence of religion and region. Population and Development Review, 27(4), 687-712.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2001.00687.x

John, N. A., Edmeades, J., Murithi, L., & Barre, I. (2019). Child marriage and relationship quality in Ethiopia. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 21(8), 853-866.‏ https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2018.1520919 

Khorramdel, S., & Vali Elahi Bisheh, A. (2023). The Circle of Salvation: Empowering Rural Women - Protection and Restoration of Natural Areas - Sustainable Development. In International Congress of Sustainable Natural Resources, Medicinal Plants and Knowledge-Based Production. 36-46. [In Persian] https://profdoc.um.ac.ir/paper-abstract-1093721.html

Kishor, S., & Subaiya, L. (2005). Household decision making as empowerment: A methodological view. In presentation at the 2005 Meeting of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP), Tours, France, 152-188. https://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/knigi/tours_2005/papers/iussp2005s51452.pdf

Lahijanian, A. A. M., & Vaskoui, N. (2016). Investigating the empowerment of rural women in environmental protection. Environmental Science and Technology, 18(4), 163-175. [In Persian] 

Lalianpour, N., Dosti, N., & Mohammadzadeh, A. (2011). The concept of empowerment and organizational commitment of employees, case study: an insurance company. Insurance World News, 14(163), 24-39. [In Persian]

Manda, J., & Mvumi, B. M. (2010). Gender relations in household grain storage management and marketing: The case of Binga District, Zimbabwe. Agriculture and Human Values, 27(1), 85-103.‏   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-008-9171-8

Md, A., Gomes, C., Dias, J. M., & Cerdà, A. (2022). Exploring Gender and Climate Change Nexus, and Empowering Women in the South Western Coastal Region of Bangladesh for Adaptation and Mitigation. Climate, 10(11), 172. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli10110172

Merchant, C. (1981). Earthcare: Women and the environment. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 23(5), 6-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.2020.1750918

Miller, J. T. (2008). Living in the Environment. In M. Makhdoom (Eds.), Tehran: University of Tehran Printing and Publishing Institute. [In Persian]

Mobashari Shiri, A., & Asghari Lafamjani, S. (2021). Analysis of the effects of handmade carpet production on the livelihood of rural households in Fasa County. Spatial Planning. 11(3), 25-43. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22108/sppl.2020.118794.1416

Mosedale, S. (2005). Assessing women's empowerment: towards a conceptual framework. Journal of International Development, 17(2), 243-257. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1212

Mukamwezi, A., Ocan, J., & Akena Adyanga, F. (2024). The Role of Savings and Lending Groups in the Financial Inclusion of Rural Women Entrepreneurs: A Case Study of IMPABARUTA Cooperative in Kamonyi District, Rwanda. East African Journal of Business and Economics, 7(2), 416–430. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.7.2.2560

Mutimukuru-Maravanyika, T., Mills, D. J., Asare, C., & Asiedu, G. A. (2017) . Enhancing women's participation in decision-making in artisanal fisheries in the Anlo Beach fishing community, Ghana. Water Resources and Rural Development, 10, 58-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wrr.2016.04.001

Ndiritu, S. W., Kassie, M., & Shiferaw, B. (2014). Are there systematic gender differences in the adoption of sustainable agricultural intensification practices? Evidence from Kenya. Food Policy, 49, 117-127.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2014.06.010

O'Brien, C., Gunaratna, N. S., Gebreselassie, K., Gitonga, Z. M., Tsegaye, M., & De Groote, H. (2016). Gender as a cross‐cutting issue in food security: the NuME Project and quality protein maize in Ethiopia. World Medical & Health Policy, 8(3), 263-286.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.198

Page, T. E. (2008). “The problem of the land is the problem of the woman”: A genealogy of ecofeminism at Grailville. Harvard University. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40211980

Parpart, J. L. (2008). Masculinity/ies, gender and violence in the struggle for Zimbabwe. In J. L. Parpart & M. Zalewski (Ed.). Rethinking the Man Question: Sex, Gender and Violence in International Relations. Zed Books.   

Quisumbing, A. R., & Pandolfelli, L. (2010). Promising approaches to address the needs of poor female farmers: Resources, constraints, and interventions. World Development, 38(4), 581-592.‏  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2009.10.006

Raman, P. (2025). Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in Developing Countries: Hands on Training on Horticultural Produce. Social Science Research Network. 76-80. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5074501

Ramezani Ghavamabadi, M. H. (2009). Participation and role of women in international environmental law. Social-Psychological Studies of Women (Women's Studies), 7(3), 53-70.  [In Persian] https://sid.ir/paper/66023/fa

Riahi, V., Javan, F., & Dehghani, N. (2016). Analysis of villagers' views on environmental protection training in rural areas (case study: Rezvanshahr County). Human and Environment, 14(4), 67-78. [In Persian] https://sanad.iau.ir/Journal/he/Article/848425  

Richardson, R. A. (2018). Measuring women’s empowerment: A critical review of current practices and recommendations for researchers. Social Indicators Research, 137(2), 539-557.‏ https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-017-1622-4

Samadi Kouchaksaraei, B., Rezaei Toabeh, K., Gholamzadeh, P., Zohrabi, H., & Moradi, N. (2013). Evaluation of Suitable Decision-making Methods to Select the Best Method for Parishan. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development, 12(1), 1-17. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30473/ee.2023.63378.2500        

Seifi, A. (2019). The role of united nation development in women empowering. Social Work Research, 6(20), 193-233. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22054/rjsw.2021.49197.370

Tanellari, E., Kostandini, G., Bonabana-Wabbi, J., & Murray, A. (2014). Gender impacts on adoption of new technologies: the case of improved groundnut varieties in Uganda. African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 9(311-2016-5619), 300-308.  10.22004/ag.econ.197017

Tarasi, Z., Karimzadeh, H., & Aghayari-Heer, M. (2019). Capacity Building in Rural Areas to Empower Women Case Study: Zanjan County. Geography and Development, 18(58), 203-224. [In Persian] https://sid.ir/paper/358463/fa

Zafari-Nasab, M., Golzari, Z., Noorian, M,. & Razavi, H. (2022). Meta-Synthesis Factors Affecting the Empowerment of Rural Women. Village and Development, 24(4), 47-70. [In Persian] 10.30490/rvt.2021.351827.1274

Zain-al-Abedin Amoghin, Y., & Ghorbaninezhad, R. (2022). Explaining the geopolitical developments in the relationship between humans and the environment (perspective-providing solutions). Humans and Environment, 20(3), 1-16. [In Persian] https://he.srbiau.ac.ir/article_16550.html