Demographic and Socio-economic Factors Influencing Rural Women's Perception of Deforestation: A Case Study of Zeghe Peninsula, Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2007-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In mosl developing countries, women playa major role as farmers, animal lenders, and
water and fuel collectors. Yet, despite their roles, women are not adequately represented
in the decision-making processes related to the issues of environment and development at
local, national or international levels. Women have continued to speak out for policies
and practices that do not threaten the health and well-being of future generations. The
skill, knowledge, attitude and perception of women have been ignored for years and
women are now demanding that their voices be heard. They continue to fight for
improved living standards and protection of the environment. In almost all countries,
women are disproportionately represented among the poor.
This study was conducted in Zeghe Peninsula, one of Ihe tourist sites in Western Gojjam,
Amhara Regional State, with the objectives of identifying the demographic and socioeconomic
factors influencing rural women's perception of deforestation, and examining
their perception of deforestation with a sample of 426 female headed households.
Statistical techniques like frequency, percentages, cross-tabulation, bivariate and
multivariate analysis were used.
The study found out that, among demographic factors: age and household size; and the
socio-economic factors: literacy status, farmland size and contact with conservation
agents have an association with the dependent variable. The results of the multivariate
analysis have shown that literacy status and farmland size of a woman significantly
influence her perception of deforestation.
From the study it can be concluded that women living in Zeghe Peninsula have
perceplion of deforestation, which is an important input for development plans, strategies
and actions; as well as conservation movements 10 be carried out on the peninsula.
Therefore, there is a lot to be done on women 's empowerment, conservation initiatives
with adequate participation of women to conserve the forest coverage, improve the lives
of people and overall ecosystem of the peninsula including Lake Tana through
investigating and using their indigenous knowledge.
Description
Keywords
Rural Women's