THINKING beyond the canopy

Does forest decentralization strengthen women’s adaptive capacity to climate change? Insight from Cameroon

A.M. Tiani*, R. Sufo, A.S. Pérez-Terán, E.L. Chia, Y. Bele and D. Sonwa

THINKING beyond the canopy

Introduction

1. What is the reality 20 years later? 2. Has gender equity and adaptive capacity been enforced by

decentralization?3. What prospects?

Vertical and horizontal participation, equity and democracy (Ribot, 2006 ; Larson, 2005)

+local actors (Bigombe Logo 2001)

+Increased disadvantaged social groups’ (women) adaptive capacity to CC (Brooks and Adger, 2005)

DECENTRALIZATIONCAMEROON

1994 Forestry Law“forest decentralization

transferred statutory rights, authority and

responsibilities of managing a share of forests and forest revenues to local councils

and communities”

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Objective

Does decentralized forest management strengthen women’s adaptive capacity to climate change in Cameroon?

1. Gender dimensions in decentralized forest management policy in Cameroon

2. Women’s presence in the forest decentralized management structures

3. The effectiveness of women’s power by counting the number of strategic positions occupied by them in the forest management structures

4. Effects of women marginalization with subsequent impacts on their adaptive capacity to climate change

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METHODS

Research site:

−Region: East (Cameroon)

−Division: Boumba-et-Ngoko

−4 Subdivisions/councils: Gari-Gombo, Moloundou, Salapoumbe, Yokadouma

−Rich tropical forest

−Land area: 30,389 km²

−Population: 116,702 as of 2001

−4 council forests

−35 community forests

Approach Review of decentralized forest

management policy documents (laws, reports, publications, etc.)

Interviews (local elites, traditional leaders, local administration representatives, NGO representatives, etc.)

Focus group discussions (men, women, NGO representatives

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RESULTS 1: Gender dimensions in policy

1. These structures are managed by legal entities whose composition portrays the level of attention accorded to women

2. Only user-rights have been accorded to indigenous people in the specific case of council forests (law 94, article 30 (2))

3. Nowhere in the new policy, women have been mentioned as a distinct social group

Many structures are involved in the forest management at different levels

CAMEROON 1994 Forestry Law

3 basic mechanisms for decentralization

council forests management c

community forests

management c

annual forestry fees management

committee

State 50%

Local council 40%

Local communities 10%

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RESULTS 2: Community forests: number of women

Subdivision Number of Community

forests legalized

Number of members in the

management entity

Number of women (n)

Proportion of women (%)

Ngari Gombo 1 11 0 0

Yokadouma 20 399 52 13%

Moloundou 3 44 14* 32%

Salapoumbé 0 0 0 0%

Total 24 454 66 14,5%

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RESULTS 2: Community forests: women’s position

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RESULTS 3: Council forest: number of women

women representation at the council forest management committee

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RESULTS 3: Town Council : numbers, positions and trends for women’s representation

Council 2007 2013

Number of town councils

Number of

women

Position occupied

by women

Number of town councils

Number of women

Position occupied by women

Gari-Gombo 25 2 counselor 25 3

- Deputy mayor- 2 counselor

Moloundou 25 0 na 25 2

- Deputy mayor- Counselor

Salapoumbé 25 0 na 25 4 - Counselors

Yokadouma 41 0 na 41 3

- Deputy mayor- 2 counselor

Total (n)116 2 116 12

Total (%) 1,7% 10,3%

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RESULTS: SUMMARY

Positions occupied by women are mostly animator, counselor and those related to treasury (treasurer, auditor)

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Consequences (1)1) Women needs and priorities neglectedExample 1: In 2011, the Strategic committee at the Division level has decided to support the expansion of Cocoa farm in order to contribute to the fight against climate change and reduce poverty. Cocoa farms are men’s activitiesIf given the chance, women would have asked for climate resilient agriculture

2) Adaptive capacity reduced Women continue to rely on shifting agriculture and annual food crops, very sensitive to climate disturbances, therefore increasing their vulnerability to climate change.

Photo: Merline Touko, Cameroon

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Consequences (2)Conflicting interests on natural resources management are solved more often at the expense of women.Example 2: Moabi oil (Baillonnella toxisperma) and caterpilars trees (Triplochiton scheroxylon) are highly valuable trees for men (timber) and for women (NTFP).

Although the sustainable harvesting by women, these trees are the first to be cut in the community forests.

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But, there is hope! In Cameroon, efforts are being made at various

levels to push gender equity in the decentralisation agenda.

Recent electoral processes have increased the inclusion of women in different political parties aiming to manage local collectivities.

Recognition of women rigor on funds management.

More and more educated.

Decision makers are more and more aware that:

gender equity could help bring about gains in sustainability and can help ensure greater returns on investments in Millennium Development Goal achievement

Gender equity in forest management could strengthen women adaptive capacity and sustain household and community

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Thank youThank you

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