Women’s Participation in Community Forest Management A Case Study of Ekkane Chaur Cfug, Pakhapani Vdc of Parbat District of Western Nepal
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Abstract
People’s participation especially the women’s participation has been recognized as an
important aspect of community forest management and development discourse for the last
decade. Women’s participation is expected in all dimensions such as planning and
decision-making, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and benefit sharing aspects. In
this context this study was conducted in the Akkanechaur Community Forest User Groups
of Pakhapani VDC of Parbat District with the aim of assessing women’s participation in
community forest management.
The study is descriptive by nature in the sense that it includes survey and fact-finding
inquiries on selected issues. In order to meet quantitative and qualitative requirements,
both primary and secondary sources of data were used in the study. Conducting household
survey, focus group discussion, Key informant interview and observation methods were
used to collect primary data. Likewise, published and unpublished documents were
reviewed to gather secondary information.
The study has revealed that women of forest user group were aware of the multilateral
importance of community forest. However, they were not adequately aware of the
constitution, operational plan and other technical aspects of community forest management
and development. Such ignorance and dependency will prevail for a long period, if the
existing system continues.
The status of women’s participation in implementation process was high while the rate of
participation in decision-making processes was low. Participation of ordinary women in
monitoring and evaluation process and participation in general assembly’s was not found
satisfactory. Usually, social activities conducted by CFUG were found to have benefited to
both sexes. Women member of the CFUG had not received opportunity to participate in
training and study tours.
The CFUG has mobilized 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 efforts of self-inspiration and daily
requirements of the forest products.
In order to open women’s introvert nature, it is required to 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 expect from all stakeholders.
Recommendations related to constitution reformulation, policy, regulations and strategy
are provided to policy-making bodies. Implementation based recommendations such as
involving women as EC member in adequate proportion even in major portfolios, women
mobilization in OP preparation and its periodic review, and disseminating CF and
people’s mobilization related recommendations are assigned to GOs/NGOs.
Psychological closeness between women and forest resources was observed during the
study. Women’s participation was found determined extremely with socio-economic
condition, institutional culture of CFUG and status of women in the family. Women posses
basic inspiration, knowledge and skill regarding forest resource management.
Reinforcement of women’s existing knowledge and skill, and boosting the existing attitude
and ambition of women regarding CF management at local level definitely can play a
significant role to restore and enhance the effective management of the forest resources.