Abstract:
Building on the Theory of Feminist Political Ecology (FPE), this paper examines
the gendered sharing of intra-household decision-making powers, responsibilities,
and rights over the exploitation of non-timber forest resources within Cherangany
Hills Forest, Kenya. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted, semi-
structured questionnaires were administered to 280 Community Forest Association
(CFA) members (140 male and 140 female) that were randomly sampled, and in-
depth interviews were conducted among 35 key respondents (20 CFA members, 7
CFA leaders, 2 village elders, 2 assistant chiefs, 2 forest guards, and 2 forest
officers) that were purposively sampled. Quantitative data was analysed in the form
of mean and standard deviation and presented in the form of percentages and
graphs. This paper highlights that husbands and wives shared the decision-making
powers over the use of forest land for crop farming to a ‘Great Extent’. There was
substantial gendered sharing of intra-household decision-making over the use of
forest land for livestock feeding. However, there was minimal gendered sharing of
intra-household decision-making with regard to the collection of firewood, herbal
plants, indigenous vegetables, and fruits from the forest as well as beekeeping
within the forest. The husbands and wives shared the responsibilities and rights
over crop farming to a ‘Great Extent’. There was substantial gendered sharing of
responsibilities and rights over the collection of fodder and grazing of livestock and
collection of herbal plants from the forest. But there was minimal gendered sharing
of responsibilities and rights over the collection of firewood, beekeeping and honey
harvesting, collection of wild vegetables and picking of indigenous fruits from the
forest. There is a need to enlighten, encourage and support both men and women
living adjacent to forested areas to understand forest rights, embrace on-farm
forestry, and use forest resources sustainably.
