Gender and social inclusion in sustainable forest management

Abstract

Participatory approach and qualitative methodology have been applied for the study on gender and social inclusion in sustainable forest management. The study aims to find out the current picture of gender issues and participation levels of men, women, and vulnerable groups that are living thanks to forest, as well as make recommendations to tackle gender issues and equal benefits. The study found out inequalities among men, women, and vulnerable groups in sustainable forest management. More men than women participated in activities related sustainable forest management, and men accessing and controlling forest resources were higher than women. Men had more power than women in decision-making in families due to the gender stereotype that men are the breadwinner and owner of families. Vulnerable groups had not been encouraged to join actively in sustainable forest management. The main current conflict was the dispute over forest land ownership right between forest owners in the research sites. This study strongly recommends gender mainstreaming and participatory approaches must be taken into account and applied in sustainable forest management, which aims to bring equitable benefits among all groups and avoid social conflicts in the community.