Investigating the Effects of Nature-Based Tourism on the Empowerment of Rural Women (Case Study: Susan Area, Izeh County).

Given their pivotal role within the family, women can be considered one of the main drivers of progress and development. In rural areas, women have a significantly greater role than men in the household economy and domestic activities, contributing substantially to the economic prosperity of their communities. The very low estimated number of active rural women and their minimal participation in economic activities highlight the insufficient attention paid to their affairs and the undervaluation of their added contributions. Considering the importance of this issue, the present study aims to investigate the effects of nature-based tourism on the empowerment of rural women in the Susan Plain, a tourism region in Izeh County, Khuzestan Province. The study population consisted of rural women from this tourism area, with 6 target villages selected as sample villages. A total of 41 women involved in tourism-related activities in these villages were surveyed. Data analysis was performed using multiple regression and the nonparametric binomial test in SPSS software. The findings demonstrate that the development of nature-based tourism positively influenced women’s empowerment in economic (mean = 3.62), social (mean = 3.37), and environmental (mean = 3.23) dimensions, respectively. Therefore, in addition to promoting nature-based tourism in the study area, prioritizing the enhancement of education, skills training, and access to financial resources for rural women in Susan Plain is essential. These measures not only motivate and improve the economic conditions of rural families but also increase women’s participation in local decision-making, accelerate rural development, and prevent rural-to-urban migration.