Women and community forestry in Nepal: Expectations and realities

Community forestry programs in Nepal, based on the erroneous assumption that farming families are the major cause of deforestation, ignore other critical causes. Recent emphasis on the inclusion of women in these programs, based on the recognition of women's subsistence activities and understanding of nature, minimizes fundamental constraints embedded in Nepalese society. A review of community forestry programs funded by international agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) indicates increasing participation of both women and men at the community level. Exaggerated expectations of the potential of community forestry in solving Nepal's ecological crisis could undermine the fragile gains of Nepali women.