LETTER OF INQUIRY Organization Information Organization Legal Name Project Title and Request Project Title Project Location

Transcription

1 LETTER OF INQUIRY Organization Information Organization Legal Name Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Mbarara University of Science and Technology Project Title and Request Project Title The Involvement of Women in Integrated Conservation and Development (ICD) Policy Implementation and Governance. Drawing Lessons from tourism Revenue Sharing at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Project Location Define the geographic location (including country, region, site, village(s), etc.) where project activities will take place. The project will be based at the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation. ITFC is located on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) a UNESCO World Heritage site in South West Uganda. This area has numerous endemic species and half the world s mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla berengei) which have attracted a valuable tourist trade trough gorilla trekking and other related activities. The wider region is poor and densely populated (about 500 people/km2) with people mainly dependent on subsistence agriculture. Forest cover stops abruptly at the park boundary. The geographic scope of study will entail communities neighboring Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where Integrated Conservation and Development interventions have been implemented to analyse the inclusion of women in decision making processes and forest revenue benefits. Bwindi is surrounded by twenty two adjacent parishes in the three districts of Kabale, Kanungu and Kisoro. All the communities where revenue sharing projects have been implemented will be first mapped using ArcGIS. Stratified and purposive sampling will be used to employ Key Informants and participants in Participatory Rural Appraisals. Simple random sampling will then be used to select households that will participate in this study. If this is a site-based project, please indicate within which Eastern Afromontane Key Biodiversity Area the project is located (see list above). Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) Compatibility with Priority Areas which of the priority areas does your project most closely address? Community based capacity building, community education and awareness Policy-level decision making Information sharing and networking Research (you may tick more than one) Linking to Existing/Ongoing Environmental Activities Explain what existing or ongoing environmental activities this project will contribute to This project will contribute to the already existing social research projects and activities implemented at Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area and use the existing data to build an evidence base of local capacity building of women. ITFC in collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority are currently implementing social research projects that have gender components. Multiple Use Program enhances decision making on forest resource harvest for both gender especially women. Conservation Through Poverty Alleviation Project (CTPA) looks at building capacity for conservation through poverty alleviation, which is aimed at improving ICD guidelines to address livelihood insecurity as well as gender relations especially in decision making processes. The second project is the Batwa Cultural Values Project (BCVP) looks at conserving

2 Uganda s tropical forests using a cultural values approach. This entails engaging both Batwa men and women on traditional knowledge application to conservation decisions. More recently, the Institute is implementing a hydrological assessment project aim at addressing gender practical needs. Water is a key resource needed by both gender especially women. However, women who are the custodians of nature and home caretakers find it difficult to benefit from forest resources. The Project Lead contact has a PhD chapter on gender and forest resource flow of which this research project will contribute to. The Institute of Interdisciplinary Training and Research (IITR) has an engaging Gender and Women Studies Department where women health and gender relations have already been explored and structured. Basing on the ongoing work at both Institutes, the results already obtained will be analyzed and integrated with data collected under this project. The research team will organize capacity building workshops to disseminate the generated data. Specific target will go to women to enhance their capacity in making sound decisions and writing tourism revenue sharing proposals. Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs) will be conducted including men and women to express the position of women in conservation and locally generated solutions to address gender gaps. This is hoped to raise awareness and build the capacity of women to be beneficiaries and managers in conservation. Proposal The proposal is meant to provide us with an overview of the project concept. It is typically 2-3 pages in length, and must include at least the following information: This research project intends to understand the existing gender relations and analyse the involvement of women in forest resource revenue flow and governance and how they have benefited in Integrated Conservation and Development (ICD) interventions that accrue from forest resources. ICD at Bwindi and other Protected Areas in Uganda has been looked at as a good strategy in promoting sustainable conservation since it aims at integrating community development needs into conservation objectives (Blomley et al., 2010; Baker, 2004; Baker et al., 2011; Tumusiime & Svarstad, 2011). However, these studies do not link ICD policy to practice in terms of addressing both community and intra-household gender gaps and the capacity both men and women have in making sound decisions on forest resource revenue access, management and governance (CTPA, 2013). ICD programmes are good on paper but have not greatly involved women in the decision making processes from the design of the projects to the evaluation stage (CTPA, 2013). Conservation and Development projects are implemented for a community or some rare instances for a household without a deeper gender analysis to ascertain the differences in gender needs at both community and intra-household levels. This would be important for determining the impact of such projects on both men and women. This is what inclusive and sustainable development would be. As a result, ICD projects do not have a considerable impact in the lives of women as a result of poor implementation and the existing gender gap at community and household levels yet women are custodians of nature (Blomley et al, 2010). The assumption that women will benefit from both community and household projects leaves the needs of women not specifically tackled. One example of women s limited access to resources can be explained by a recent study by one of the coauthors at IITR, which indicates that while women in southwestern Uganda spend 43% of their time on farm work their land ownership rights remain limited. Culturally women own land as long as they married and risk losing rights when a marriage fails or their husband dies (Nyakato, 2013). Therefore, implemented projects ought to put under consideration gender roles. There is a number of women under the Multiple Use Programme as one of the ICD interventions, however the level of benefits at household level are still dominated by men who are always involved in decision making processes by forest authorities. State forest administrations are the dominant forest management institutions in both the

3 developed and the developing world and the entry point in communities is the involvement of men mostly in decision making processes yet women as well exist with rich knowledge that would lead to effective implementation of ICD projects. Specifically, knowledge held by Batwa women in traditional forest management practices and institutions have often not been seen as valid specifically on the implementation of the revenue sharing policy and Multiple Use Programme (MUP). Batwa pygimies who live at the boundary of Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area are trapped in livelihood insecurity due to gender gaps that exist at household level and poor targeting of ICDs to both genders. Arguments are put forth that, conservation and environmental policy formulation has not involved the both gender who are greatly affected by the designed policies and conservation costs. It is noted that, gender interests and concerns of the local people were not considered in the establishment of these Protected Areas (Mugisha, 2002). Even in the subsequent ICD interventions, the participation of most women is formal rather than practical. In Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA), collaborative forest management has been implemented; however conservation decisions are still made in a top down approach with mostly the involvement of men. As a result of park benefit dissatisfaction and disengagement with people surrounding Protected Areas (Infield & Namara, 2001; Sandbrook, 2008), unauthorized resource use has continued to take place as a way of securing livelihood sources and family needs (Chapman and Peres, 2001; Whitmore, 1997; Laurance, 1999). This trend is not different from what takes place at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park yet such illegal activities are threatening to the endangered mountain gorillas. The collection of minor forest products such as firewood and bean stakes is mostly done by women (CTPA, 2013). This research project argues that, forest sector governance reforms should allow an inclusive approach where all local people make sound decisions and make their assets more productive. This can be achieved by supporting inclusive development but also enabling gender equity in resource access and benefit sharing. This can include decision making processes and putting in place a feedback system on decisions made on forest access, use and benefits. This means that an institutional reform on revenue sharing and other ICD strategies should aim at a practical and inclusive outcome of its/their implementation. In doing this, all people neighboring such protected areas will concentrate on development projects, enjoy the visible outcome of such development interventions and embrace conservation. Therefore, the research project aims at evaluating the governance and implementation of forest revenue by analyzing the policy guidelines on whether all local people (both men and women) understand the, their level of involvement and the capacity they have to influence decisions on forest revenue to address gender gaps and gender relation needs at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. This will be measured in terms of local community participation in the design of national and local policies, participation of people in revenue sharing processes, level of resource access and sharing under the Multiple Use Program and the value attached to their demands and decisions. The overall aim is to contribute to the effective guidelines that can streamline the involvement of all local people in ICD policy implementation. Project Rationale Describe the problem you aim to address, and why it is important (why has your organization identified gender or women s empowerment as a priority?) Who identified the problem, and how? Describe previous work you (or others) have already implemented / are already implementing in the context of the proposed project Gender inequality is a challenge to inclusive development. The studies done at ITFC (Blomley et al., 2010,

4 CTPA, ) reveal that Integrated Conservation and Development Projects which are supposed to benefit all sections of the population are poorly targeted. This relates to the implementation and governance failures. People who bear conservation costs especially women have not benefited much from forest revenue. There is unequal distribution of forest resource revenue to both genders since women have not been integrated in decision making processes. In 2013, out of 1200 households that benefited from revenue sharing program, there was no affirmative action to involve women in revenue sharing process (UWA, 2013). There were only 102 (8.5%) women headed households that benefited. Further more out of the 490 beneficiaries on resource harvest programme (Multiple Use Program), only 141 (28.7%) are women (CTPA, 2013). This leaves women in livelihood insecurity trap. The gazettment of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park posed double marginalization on the side of women. The first level of marginalization relates to restricted access to forest resources such as non-timber forest products like medicinal plants, basketry materials, bean stakes, firewood all which are important in gender division of labour. The second marginalization relates to decision making processes. Using intra-household bargaining models, it is noted that, women s capacity to influence decisions is affected by cultures and social status (Amartya, 1987, Agarwal, 1997 &2003). This explains women s disempowerment and limited access to resources. Therefore, through various research findings (Baker 2004, Blomley et al 2010, CTPA 2013) that indicate poor targeting of forest revenue and benefits, this research project on gender specifically brings out solutions to addressing these gaps and suggestions for future interventions. Project Approach Describe the proposed strategy and actions of your project. Include the Objectives, Expected results and Activities of the project and any potential risks you may face in implementing this plan. Be sure to clearly explain how the project will address gender or women s empowerment in an environmental context(no more than 500 words) Gender analysis, Institutional and Behavioral approaches will be employed as approaches for data generation and information sharing in order to understand the integration of both women and men in forest revenue decision making processes. Communities will be geo-referenced to give a clear view of revenue distribution. Long term goals 1. To contribute towards effective conservation of the Mountain Gorillas and other endemic species of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through improved conservation policy and practices that improves women's involvement in conservation 2. To improve the policy implementation and governance aspect in the management of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the integration of women in decision making processes Short term objectives 1. To undertake research to establish the level of women involvement in tourism revenue project design, implementation and governance by 20% by the end of January We will undertake a gender analysis approach as a tool to understand how many men and women have been involved in project design, implementation and governance levels 2. To contribute towards improved capacity of women to influence revenue sharing policy guidelines through Participatory Rural Appraisals, local capacity building meetings and field work interactions around Bwindi by February To increase stakeholder awareness and engagement in activities relating to the involvement of women in tourism revenue sharing policy by February 2015.

5 Through a mixed methodological approach, we will collect robust data that will help us analyze gender issues more in-depth at community and household levels. We will first conduct a rapid baseline survey. We will then conduct household surveys and key informant interviews. We will also conduct Participatory Rural Appraisals to raise awareness on the integration of women in revenue sharing activities. We will analyse data using SPSS and ArcGIS. A research draft report will be compiled and shared with our stakeholders and later our funders for review. New tools of policy advocacy will be developed to aid capacity building workshops and park management engagement. Tools will include; policy briefs, community based monitoring tool, blogs and a journal article if funds allow. We will conduct two local stakeholders workshops and four capacity building meetings to raise women awareness and build the capacity of rural women in influencing policy. These will build the capacity of women to influence policy. Women will be specifically trained in making sound decisions and writing SMART revenue sharing proposals. We will establish a community based monitoring programme in selected communities around Bwindi to keep track of the integration of women in revenue sharing benefits. This will be done to monitor the current proposed disbursement of funds supposed to start in August This monitoring will be done by a group of 24 trained women in each of the selected communities. Publications made will entail the logos of Birdlife and Conservation International. The project might be limited in getting reliable information from policy makers and implementers since they are found of shielding their weaknesses. However, there will be validation of data to come up with sound and informed conclusions. Project Partners / Stakeholders List any partners to be directly involved in implementing this project as well as important stakeholders and how you have involved them in your planning. The Project will be jointly implemented by the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation and the Institute of Interdisciplinary Training and Research. Both ITFC and IITR are institutes of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). ITFC specializes in both ecological and Social Researches and is located in Bwindi. IITR focuses on interdisciplinary methodology with particular specialization in gender, farm production systems, livelihoods framework and governance, it is located in Mbarara at MUST campus. This joint implementation will bring on board relevant knowledge and skills from both conservation and gender dimensions. We also intend to coordinate our activities with the department of community conservation of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in conducting PRAs and policy review. This is intended to create project ownership within policy implementing bodies to better target forest revenue using a gender analysis approach. This will achieve our goal of bridging the gender gaps that exist in policy implementation and governance. This can be achieved if UWA as an implementing government agency is involved in all stages of implementing this project. ITFC already has UWA s good will both in ecologic and socioeconomic researches as a project implementing partner, if objectives of certain projects are to be achieved. This will not be exceptional with the gender and forest resource project. The inclusion of various stakeholders will bring on board a round of knowledge, expertise, ownership and support from various angles of discipline. This is relevant in achieving the project targets which fundamental for sustainable future interventions for biodiversity conservation. Long-term Sustainability/Replicability Describe how the project activities or results will enhance existing or longer-term environmental and development efforts The project is key in strengthening inter and intra household gender relations in terms of forest resource benefit access and benefit. This is because the project results will specifically bring to limelight gender gaps in the existing revenue sharing policy guidelines and local level policy implementation. The results

6 will therefore be used as tools by local leaders in best addressing the existing gender gaps. The project will aid Uganda Wildlife Authority to properly target both genders while implementing future forest revenue sharing projects. This will enable resource equitable benefit sharing. Understanding community perceptions on integration of women in forest resource governance will enable conservation managers to involve all local people and institutions in collaborative natural resource management and this is hoped to reduce unsustainable resource use. This will be through appreciation of benefits that come from conservation and improving the governance framework that exists. By permeating these protected areas with locally significant meanings, a joint vision for their future conservation can be built that local people can enthusiastically engage with, increasing interest in long-term conservation. The project will contribute to the development of collaborative research capacity between the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation and Institute of Interdisciplinary Training and Research. Review comments got from Conservation International and Birdlife International during the process of implementing this project will be vital for research growth and development. This project will also strengthen the work of other conservation agencies such as UWA as well as organizations such as Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust and its partners to effectively implement a gender based community based conservation approach. In this case, biodiversity conservation will become more effective and sustainable through increased and deepened incentives for local communities awareness, support and engagement in conservation under article thirteen (13) of Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). Engaging local knowledge in park management will improve understanding of local communities on the protected areas as natural systems that partly form societal wellbeing. The project will contribute to incentives for conservation as described under Article eleven (11) of CBD. Economic incentives will result from local community involvement in revenue sharing opportunities as a collaborative management strategy. All community members will benefit through better targeted programmes and hence reduce conservation threats to mountain gorillas and other endemic species of Bwindi.