Condition of female in community forest management

Abstract

Nepal's rural setting is a complex structure of social system consisting of hierarchical social structure that includes different economic and social classes, oppressive castes system and gender discrimination, which is developed from feudal, bureaucratic and caste and gender biased interests. The two important factors to the success of community forest management are gender and equity, those allowing women and others marginalized groups to participate effectively in the processes of good governance in forests is essential. Through decision making is an important function in forest user groups and requires the participation of the whole community in the practice. Disadvantaged groups are frequently marginalized in Nepal for instances, women must work at home and the poor must work for wages, thus they have spare time.

Study Area The study area of this study will be the "Tirekot Community Forest"one of the Community forest of Hemja V.D.C. This Community forest belongs to the locals' people of ward no. 7, 8 and 9, is located towards the Northwest of this V.D.C. and is 10km far from the zonal headquarter of western development region; Pokhara and is situated at 860-1415m height from sea level. In Nepal culturally; it can be called a mosaic of Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim culture (VDC Profile 2003). The selected Community forest of the V.D.C is very important from the socio-cultural point of view; because the it is control by the Brahmin society which do not give more emphasis to the female involvement in the decision making process.

The researcher had planned to carry this research mainly focusing to search the answer to these questions;

• What is the status of women in the decision making process in CFUGs? • What is the socio-economic status of the users groups in the area? • What is the role of executive committee for the inclusion of female? • How is the benefit share among the user groups? • Did the female feel free in expressing their view in meeting?

What is the awareness status of female to their right and responsibility regarding community forest as a user?

The Main Goal of the Study The general objective of the study is assessing the social inclusion of females in the community forestry system. The specific objectives of the study are given here under; 1 To explore the socio-economic condition of Users in the area. 2 To analyze the inclusive representation of women in decision making and benefit sharing. 3 To analyze the access of information and opportunities to the females.

The Tools used to collect the data This study is mainly focused on female’s status and role their attitude and suggestions that are needed for the democratization of the management plans in CFUGS. This study had utilized descriptive methodology in the form of social survey. At the first detail of the main elements of the methods to be used is given under. The households built in the ward no 7, 8 and 9 of this VDC has taken as universe and had made the census study. So, the total population frame was 61 households for the reliability of the data. For the purpose of the study observation, interview schedule, focus group discussion and two of the case studies were adopted as data collecting technique of sociological research, to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Thus, the data collected for this study is dominantly primary. When needed, some of the important secondary data have also been incorporated. The above data collecting tools were devised very carefully in order to ensure their validity. For this purpose, the interview schedule prepared carefully instruction of supervisor was included and refine the question in the interview schedule. Both structure and unstructured observations were made from time to time while in the field work process. Key informant interview and focused group discussion which were primary unstructured one also conducted. Observations, FGD, and key informant interview have yielded qualitative data, while interview schedule has yielded both types of data. The FGD participants were the representative of female members of users group and the personal that have long experience of the females status and the condition in the community forest management. The collected data have been analyzed by using computer program SPSS 12 while qualitative data have been arranged manually and analyzed descriptively. Results of quantitative data analysis have been shown by using various tables, charts and diagrams.

Finding of the Study • Out of the total respondents of 61 from the field study 70.5 percent of them had reported that due to the lack of awareness the female were not able to participate in the different program organized by the users committee and the meeting and assembly. Similarly, 52.5 percent had marked that it is cultural and social norms that hinders the female to participate in the programs. Likewise, 32.8 percent had stated that it is lack of education or illiteracy that works as the obstacle of the female to participate freely among the literate groups; they feel shy to express their views due to their illiteracy.

• Out of the total 50.8 percent of the respondents marked that the users committee consider educational status of the member as a prominent factor in decision making process. In the same 23 percent the size and condition of the forest. Similarly, 14.8 percent had reported that socio-economic condition of the member. While 11.5 percent had reported that the caste system play important role in making the decision.

• Out of the total respondents 52.5 (32) percent of the respondents had reported that they only sometime express the views and ideas freely. Similarly 42.6 (26) percent had reported that they freely express their view infront of the committee members. But, 4.9 (3) percent had reported that they do not express the ideas.

• From the field study report 62.3 (38) percent of the respondents had reported that their views were considered while formulating the decision of the users groups. In the same way 19.7(12) percent had mark that very often their views were considered and 18 (11) percent of the respondents had reported had their view were not consider while making decision.

• Form the field report 77 percent of the female had reported that they gets the chances to express their view and opinion freely, while 19.7 percent of the respondents had reported that they do not get the free chances to put their views in the decision making process. Whereas, 3.3 percent of the respondents had reported that only some time they get the chance to put their opinion freely. But all the time it is made by the influential persons.

• The study shows that 90.1 percent of the respondents involves while making the decision and marked that the user member call all the user groups and formulate the decision. Similarly 6.6 percent of the respondents had reported that the decision is made by passing the agenda by the committee members. In the dame way 3.3 percent of the respondents had marked that decision is made by passing the agenda by the influential person.