Socio-economic Outcomes of Gendered Participation in Forest Management in Tanzania

Abstract

Prio to the 1980s, centralized forest management policies in many African
countries, including Tanzania, excluded local communities, particularly
women, from participating in the management of their forests. In response,
participatory forest management (PFM) approaches—including communitybased forest management (CBFM), and joint forest management (JFM)—were
introduced to empower local communities to participate in forest management
and benefit from their forests. Building on existing analysis that highlights more
on the impact of PFM on forest conditions, governance and livelihood, this paper
examines the socio-economic outcomes of gendered participation in forest
management in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Through the feminist political ecology
perspective, and utilizing a mixed method approach, it aims to assess the
significance of gendered participation in CBFM for achieving improved socioeconomic outcomes. The findings indicate that increased gendered participation
in CBFM activities increases gendered awareness and understanding of forestrelated issues, reduces gender-related conflicts, strengthens social networks and
enhances equity in benefit-sharing at the community level. However, these are
less achieved at the household level. The distribution of economic benefits to
individuals has been hindered by the absence of a well-defined benefit sharing
arrangements and the dominance of elites in capturing forest benefits. The
paper concludes that increased gender participation in CBFM activities has
more social benefits outcomes than economic benefits to women. It recommends
revising forest regulations to ensure more economic benefits flow to individuals,
thereby incentivizing active participation in forest management. Additionallly,
gender specific interventions should be implemented to empower both men and
women with alternative sources of income to enhance their economic wellbeing,
while safeguarding the sustainability forest resources.