She Is Forestry SA: Championing women, shaping the future of South Africa’s forestry sector
She Is Forestry is a values-based organisation that promotes gender equality through the empowerment of women across the South African forestry sector. We exist to create an inclusive, inspiring, and sustainable industry that celebrates the contribution of women and ensures equal opportunities for all by:
- Encourage, celebrate and raise the profile of women across the forestry sector.
- Remove barriers preventing women from realising their potential.
- Promote and support the influx of new women into the sector.
- Provide networking and mentoring platforms for women in forestry.
Women in Forestry Webinar
Launched in August 2020, the She Is Forestry SA – Women in Forestry Webinar has become a flagship platform for raising awareness about gender-related issues in the sector.
2020: The Women in Forestry webinar, which was the catalyst for She Is Forestry SA, honoured the trailblazers, reflecting on the history of women in forestry and the barriers they overcame, while identifying solutions for the future.
2021: The first SIFSA webinar looked ahead, featuring women driving innovation and growth across the sector. Their stories continue to inspire the next generation of female foresters.
2022: This year’s theme, “Be the Best You Can Be,” focuses on career and personal development, offering practical advice for women navigating the challenges of balancing work, family and lifelong learning.
2023: The third SIFSA webinar’s theme was, “A Time To Shine”, where women were encouraged to embrace their inner potential, before letting their light shine out to light the way for others. It was here we launched the SIFSA Role Model videos.
2024: This year’s theme, “Shining Our Light On Others“, urged women to extend the platform we have created to others facing inequalities. To help empower them, because together we are stronger.
2025: To celebrate five years of SIFSA webinars, we looked back at all we have achieved and forward to where we want to go, launching our “Mentor Me Initiative” – which was also this year’s theme – a five year programme to bridge the mentorship gap felt by women in our Sector.
She Is Forestry Awards
Launched in 2022, the She Is Forestry SA Awards are designed to celebrate excellence and highlight the remarkable contribution of women across the forestry sector and forest product value chains.
Award Categories
Resounding Contribution to the Forestry Sector and Forest Product Value Chain Award
Recognising an individual who has gone above and beyond in her service to the industry, whether through years of dedication, ground-breaking innovation or inspiring leadership.
Resounding Contribution to Forestry Science
Recognising an individual whose innovative research has, or is, shaping the forestry sector and ensuring it remains competitive in a global market.
Resounding Contribution Behind the Scenes
Recognising an individual whose work may not capture the limelight, but is essential for the smooth running of our sector. These are the women affectionally known to be the glue that keeps our sector together and the oil that keeps our engines running.
Small-scale Enterprise Award
Recognising the female entrepreneurs running small enterprises across the sector, from the growers, to the contractors to the CSI enabled businesses. These are the women doing it for themselves and often employing many others along the way.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Student Awards
Celebrating the students who are excelling in their studies and contributing to forestry through the clubs, organisations and volunteering they are do on top of their academic commitments.