WIN project highlights women’s employment challenges at International Forestry conference

On the 24th and 25th of October 2024, Jani Kozina, the lead partner of the WIN project participated in the international conference organized by the sister project Fem2forests, titled Equality and Diversity in Forestry: Changing the Image of Forestry, held in Portorož.

The WIN project was presented with a paper titled The Future of Women's Employment in Peripheral Industrial Regions, which explored the unique challenges faced by women in regions traditionally dominated by industries such as mining, manufacturing, and technology. These sectors often maintain male-dominated work environments and offer limited opportunities for women. Using Trbovlje, a former mining town with a rich industrial history and around 14,000 residents, as a case study, the presentation outlined the structural challenges and persistent gender barriers in such regions.

The presentation provided insights into how the economic structure in peripheral industrial regions often relegates women to lower-skilled or precarious employment, perpetuating gender stereotypes. Consequently, women in these areas frequently encounter limited opportunities for professional growth and economic empowerment. This limitation has a broader impact, reducing productivity and contributing to 'brain drain' as local talent moves to larger urban centers in search of better opportunities. The research combined official employment statistics with ethnographic methods to illustrate the lived experiences of women across generations in Trbovlje, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and supportive labour market.

Important themes were raised among the participants, such as gender inequality in peripheral regions, women’s roles in traditionally male-dominated sectors, and the importance of  creating a more equal work environment. The work of the WIN project, as presented at this event, underscores the necessity of addressing these challenges to foster economic growth and social cohesion in peripheral industrial areas.

For further information on the conference, please visit the official websites: Fem2forests - International Conference, International Conference on Equality and Diversity in Forestry.