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Abstract
The forest management strategy of Nepal is based on people’s participation, which is known
as community forestry. This approach was formally introduced in 1978 to encourage active
participation of local people in forest management activities as a means to improve their livelihoods.
Under the community forestry structure, local people make decisions regarding forest management,
utilization and distribution of benefits from a forest; they are organized as a Community Forest User
Group. Presently about 1.2 million hectares of forest is under the control of about 14,000 Community
Forest User Groups. It has received highest priority within the forestry sector and is one of the most
successful development initiatives in Nepal. However, emerging evidence indicates that forest user
groups have excluded rather than included women’s participation in their activities
This paper is based on the findings from six forest users groups implementing a program
aimed at strengthening governance at the local level through increased women’s participation and
increased advocacy skills and capacity of selected civil society groups. It presents the process of
women’s empowerment in forest user groups by describing changes made in those groups once
women begin participating and holding key decision-making positions. The findings note significant
variation in funds allocated for social and community development activities, which are necessary to
address the issues of poverty and social equity in Nepal. In addition, they note the importance of
building both the capacity of individual women leaders and an enabling environment to support the
women’s initiatives. A collaborative and inclusive approach that includes women and marginalized
groups as committee executives and members of local government bodies is necessary to build the
enabling environment.