Women participation in forest conservation in Tanzania: a case of Arumeru district in Arusha region
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Date
2009
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study examined the participation of women in forest conservation activities in Arumeru District. It was guided by three research objectives and their questions, which were; to identify and document forest conservation activities taking place in Arumeru district, to examine the level of women participation in forest conservation activities examine the challenges of involving women in forest conservation activities. The study employed a descriptive survey design. A total of 231 respondents were involved in the study through purposive and random sampling methods. Data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions, documentary reviews, observations and were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings revealed that conservation activities in the study area included planting trees, awareness rising through meetings and trainings, making by-laws, fire fighting and reporting illegal forests activities. The level of women participation in the entire activities was found to be low. The study noted that the major challenges for involving women was due to traditional system of life, which perpetuated inequality in natural resource ownership, like land and forest products, lack of formal education provision and lack of freedom of expression. The study recommends that in order to attain sustainable development, the government and other development actors should involve all stakeholders in the development process. Therefore, gender mainstreaming approaches in development initiatives are suggested to improve the community livelihood.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library
Keywords
Forest conservation, Arumeru district, Arusha region, Tanzania
Citation
Lucas, L (2009) Women participation in forest conservation in Tanzania: a case of Arumeru district in Arusha region, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Saaam.