Advancing Gender Inclusion in Forest Governance in Selected Communities; Kori Chiefdom, Southern Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, existing cultural norms are believed to limit gender mainstreaming in sustainable forest management. This study investigated women’s involvement in decision making regarding forest governance and management in five communities within Kori Chiefdom Southern Sierra Leone. Respondents were selected using both probability and non-probability sampling methods. Stratified sampling was used to classify key respondents into youth and adults (male and female, based on age classes and gender. Consequently, due to the small populations of selected communities (Kawella, Lagor Kawema, Nyamawabu, Kangahun and Foya), purposive sampling was used to select 100.0% of male and female youth (ages 18 to 35), and adults (age 36 and above). Data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedule. Data from respondents was analysed using descriptive analysis and presented in tables and charts. The 2010 Sierra Leone National Forest Policy was analysed using content analysis. Findings revealed that 100.0% of youth, men and women sampled, confirmed that women attend forest-user group meetings and were actively involved in decision making concerning forest governance. Likewise, majority of men sampled (above 56.2%) opined that the chiefs took final decision over forests use in their respective communities. Furthermore, most of the youth (above 50.0%) in each community and men (above 87.5%), with the exception of those in Foya, (25.0% in Kangahun), revealed that women held positions in forest-user groups. Similar proportions of youth and men also confirmed that women actively engage in implementing decisions made regarding forest governance. All, (100%) of women attested that there was no existing gender marginalization in forest governance within the communities sampled. Finally, content analysis of the 2010 Sierra Leone National Forest Policy revealed that there aren’t any women specific - provisions or roles assigned to or reserved for women in any part of the policy document. In conclusion, in spite of the absence policy provisions to promote mainstreaming women’s involvement in forest governance, this research confirmed that women are not hindered from participating in forest decision making and governance in the study areas. It is therefore recommended that women should be given more encouragement to participate in forest decision making and assigned more leadership roles in forest governance.