Traditional ecological knowledge is a repository of collective wisdom accumulated through generations of experience. The treasure trove of cultural knowledge exists in almost symbiotic relationship with the surrounding biodiversity, passed down through collective memories and socio-cultural norms. Due to their role in sustaining livelihoods, women in traditional communities often have a more direct relationship with the environment. This close relationship puts women in a unique position where they simultaneously have the highest stake in preventing environmental degradation but minimal authority to exercise against it. Gender inequalities and social exclusions remain a persistent theme of conservation research, particularly in the Global South. Power dynamics and gender perceptions in traditional societies are a product of socio-cultural contexts, where customary laws dictate women’s status and authority in decision-making. While applauded for their significance in conservation, indigenous institutions often fail to include the voices of women and other socially marginalized groups. This review examines the literature to ask if a more gender inclusive governance system would improve biodiversity conservation efforts. What factors influence the supposed “relationship” between women’s socioeconomic background and attitudes towards the natural environment? What factors enhance or inhibit women’s participation in participatory conservation?