Factors influencing the involvement of women in the conservation and management of forests in Chepalungu constituency, Bomet county.

Abstract

The introduction of Participatory Forestry Management in Kenya has led to for community-based organizations that have come to be referred as Community Forest Associations. These organizations are responsible for diverse management activities in forest protection, management and monitoring. However, accesses to revenues and decision-making have been vested in the Kenya Forest Service. Most CFAs function autonomously including the crafting of resource harvesting rules, choice of leadership and conflict resolution. Gender roles in Kenya put women in direct contact with natural resources such as forests, water, land and wildlife. However, women are neglected when it comes to decision making. Forest is the most important resource after water in the world. Water and forests are the major components of diversity that represent the foundations of the ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the participation of women in forest conservation and management in forests in Chepalungu constituency of Bomet County. The study attempted to meet the following objectives: to examine the extent to which culture influences the involvement of women in the management and conservation of forests; to assess the extent to which legislation hinders women from participating in forest conservation and management; to examine the role played by technology in forest conservation and management and to assess the relationship between religion and forest conservation and management. The study used descriptive design and the target population was women, DFOs, FECs and CFUGs.Stratified sampling was used. Questionnaire was used to collect the data. Permission was obtained from the relevant authorities before the study.