ANALYSIS OF WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN FOREST MANAGEMENT IN MALAKAND DIVISION

Abstract

Women participation and their active role in forest management have been highly recognized across the globe. Women participation and their inclusion in forest management related activities and decision making enhance sustainable forest management. This article aims at highlighting the role of women in Forest Management and the actual situation that exists on the ground in selected four districts of Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Qualitative mode of research was adopted throughout the study and our Districts including Swat, Shangla, Dir Upper and Chitral were purposively selected out of seven Districts in Malakand Division. Prmary data was collected through interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), wherein the Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMCs) members were interviewed to get the needed information, whiule Focus Group Discussions were arranged to have more insight into the study at hand.The findings showed that lack of women representation and participation in Joint Forest Management was evident
resulting in the lack of implementation of the desired approach i.e. JFM. The socio-cultural hurdles in the way of women and no share/benefit of women in forest royalty resulted in women lack or no participation of women from in the Forest Management. The study suggests that women representation in the existing JFMCs or the formation of separate JFMCs for women would be instrumental for Participatory Forest Management in order to preserve forests, ensure afforestation and overcome deforestation.