The Role of Gender in Tree Planting Initiative and Climate Change

ResilienceBeing a Presentation

Trees on Earth Development Foundation. March 28, 2013, Ogori/Magongo LGA Conference Hall, Kogi State

MS. TITILOPE NGOZI AKOSA ED , Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st) , Nigeria

March 28th , 2013

INTRODUCTION• Recognizing the role that gender plays in tree planting is

very important in addressing the threat of global climate change and building resilience.

• As much as the impacts of climate change is differentiated by gender so also the solutions to climate change especially in mitigating climate change is also gendered

• Tree planting brings a host of benefits, trees provide cleaner air, richer soil, wildlife habitat, and shade. They conserve water and protect lands against floods. They also absorb carbon dioxide the cause of climate change. The different roles assumed by men and women in environmental and natural resources management has significant implication for tree planting initiatives.

IMPORTANCE OF TREE PLANTING IN CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

• Trees act as carbon sinks • Trees provide shades to mitigate the impact of

climate induced temperature rise• Controls pollution• Protects land from erosion and flooding

UNDERSTANDING GENDER AND TREE PLANTING

• Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

• Literally, the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 2001, defines a tree as “a tall plant that can live a long time with a thick central wooden stem”. Tree-planting could simply be planting and nurturing of trees that would grow tall, live long and exhibit the basic characteristics that makes up a tree. A. C. Anongo http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/aasr-vol4-iss3/AASR-2012-4-3-1423-1431.pdfthe planting

GENDER AND TREE PLANTING• The socially ascribed roles and

behavioral pattern of women and men in relation to the environment and natural resources use pattern can have significant implications for tree planting

• Equally the dependence of the livelihood and economic activities of women and men on trees are also very crucial for sustainability of tree planting initiatives

• For instance women cut trees to use as fuel wood for their cooking while men cut down trees to engage in lumbering

IMPACT OF GENDER ON TREE PLANTING

• Men cut trees burn and convert them to coal for women to use as cooking fuel.

• Women and men use plants and herbs from the forest as medicine.

• Population pressure which breeds anti- tree planting behaviors such as dumping of waste on planted areas and trampling on plants.

• Destruction of illegal structures and stalls to make room for tree planting space could disproportionately affect women livelihood activities as thus discourage women from participating in tree planting exercise

BEST PRACTICES IN TREE PLANTING INITIATIVES THAT TAKES ACCOUNT OF GENDER

• These highlighted gendered activities can lead to deforestation, hinder tree planting initiatives and thus contribute greatly to global climate change.

• Understanding and taking account of gender issues in tree planting initiatives can help in finding long term strategy to implement sustainable tree planting initiatives

BEST PRACTICES • There are best practices in tree planting

initiatives around the world which can be replicated In Nigeria.

• Tree planting initiatives that specifically enlist the participation of women have had great success.

Examples are; • The Late Wangari Mathais’s Greenbelt

movement women’s tree planting initiative is one of the world best practices. Tree planting was linked to women’s economic empowerment which helped the women earn carbon credits

GHANA CASE STUDY

In Ghana women tree growers association were formed in many rural communities to nurture the culture of tree planting. Separate woodlots for fire wood were maintained by the women

LAGOS CASE STUDY

• In Lagos state it was found that enlisting women participation in tree planting activities can help to give responsibility for family interaction with the environment. Which could be through gardening care of trees and visitation to parks by children. ( Lagos State, State of the environment Report 2011)

• The first lady of Lagos Mrs Fashola leads women on Tree planting campaign and environmental sanitation

STRATEGIES FOR MAINTREAMING GENDER IN TREE PLANTING INITIATIVES

• Conduct a multi-stakeholder meeting to understand the issues and concerns of men and women in tree planting.

• Involve men and women in tree planting decision making • Mobilize women and men to form tree planting groups • Empower men and women in other livelihood skills to

discourage cutting of tree as a means of livelihood.• Training men and women on the environmental benefits of

tree planting and how to plant and nurture trees • Embark on regular tree planting campaigns and awareness

raising

CONCLUSION

• Gender is a critical factor in institutionalizing the culture of tree planting.

• The voices, issues and concerns of women and men are very key to a successful and sustainable tree planting initiative

• Thank you