Women's participation in community forest management: A Case study of Sirukharka Kahule community forest of Khotang district
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Department of Rural Development
Abstract
People's participation especially the women's participation has been recognized as an important aspect of community forest management and development for the last decade. Women's participation is expected in all dimensions such as planning and decision making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and benefit sharing aspects. In this content this study was conducts in the Sirukharka Kahule Community Forest of Khotang District with the aim of assessing women's participation in community forest management.
The study is descriptive in nature that includes survey and fact-finding inquiries on selected issues. In order to meet quantitative and qualitative requirements, both primary and secondary source of data were used in the study, conducting household survey through structured questionnaires and observation methods were used to collect primary data. Likewise, published and unpublished documents were reviewed as secondary sources of collection which were used to enrich the study.
The status of women's participation in implementation process was high while the rate of participation in decision making procession was low. Participation of ordinary women in maintaining and evaluation process and participation in general assemblies was found satisfactory. Usually, social activities conducted by CFUG were found to have benefited equally to both sexes. Women member of the CFUG had not got opportunity to participate in training and study tours as of male.
The CFUG was mobilized for more physical participation of women in community forest management. Despite some personal, family, social and policy level constraints.Women were involved in CF management due to synergetic effects of self-inspiration and daily requirements of the forest products. They have more responsibility of fire-wood and cooking the food in the household comparatively than male of the community.
In order to open women's introvert nature, explore their attitude and ambitions, utilize women's knowledge and skills, address the obstacles and maximize the women's participation in CF management, equal efforts are essential from all stakeholders. Implementation based recommendation such as involving women as executive member in adequate proportion even in major port-folios, women mobilization in operational plan preparation and its periodic review, and disseminating community forest related information among women etc. are targeted to CFUGs. Liberate sensitization, dissemination and people's mobilization related recommendations are assigned to GO/NGOs.
In the case of Sirukharka Kahule91 percent of CF women memberswere found illiterate but not higher education and enough knowledge in forest management based on the government policy. The male respondents expressed the need of women participation more but practically they do not help women in household activities. Lack of education of women as of male found one of the bottlenecks of the enhancement of forest management.For this, they are to be empowered well through technical trainings of community forest management.