Women and Pro-environmental Initiatives in Tourism: The Intersection of Gender Dynamics and Environment Issues

Abstract

Women’s involvement, gender equality, and environmental challenges are critical concepts in tourism development, particularly in patriarchal systems where hierarchical value systems create challenges for both nature and women. However, the theoretical framework addressing these issues remains underexplored. This study examined how women interpret their motivations and challenges in these contexts while contributing to tourism-related environmental conservation and navigating patriarchal gender norms. It investigated the lived experiences of Iranian women actively engaged in tourism-related conservational initiatives. The findings revealed that their commitment to pro-environmental initiatives is driven by an intrinsic connection to nature and a desire to resist gender inequalities and challenge male-dominated structures. Despite facing challenges stemming from patriarchal structures, they demonstrate collective resilience against gender stereotypes. Additionally, their participation in tourism pro-environmental projects fosters trust and social recognition, driving incremental social change. This study makes a strong theoretical contribution by exploring gender issues through the lens of ecofeminism theory