Women’s representation and participation in UNESCO heritage discourse

Research reveals that women remain marginalized in the discourse and decision-making processes surrounding UNESCO World Heritage Sites, despite gender equality being a priority for inclusive development. Focusing on the Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont (Italy), the study finds that dominant heritage narratives are often male-driven, which may hinder women's participation. Through interviews with local female wine producers, it compares official heritage discourses with women's perceptions of their role in shaping identity and heritage. The findings suggest that lack of representation influences women's willingness to engage in managing heritage that does not reflect their values, raising questions about the desired forms of participation for greater inclusivity.

Settimini, E. (2020). Women’s representation and participation in UNESCO heritage discourse. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 27(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2020.1763428