Gender Disparities in Forest Governance: Men Profiting from the Marginalization of Women in Southeast Nigeria

Forest governance in Africa often mirrors the deep-rooted gender inequalities that perpetuate poverty, particularly among women. In Southeast Nigeria, these inequalities manifest in the economic marginalization of women, as men largely control access to and profits from forest resources. Despite numerous studies on poverty and gender inequality in Africa, little attention has been given to the gendered dynamics of forest governance in Southeast Nigeria. This study explores the factors sustaining this gendered disparity, focusing on how societal norms, cultural practices, and unequal access to resources contribute to the impoverishment of women. Adopting mixed-method; in-depth interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data on a sample of 251 respondents selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings reveal significant gender disparities in resource management, with men benefiting disproportionately from forest governance. Key factors identified include women's limited access to education, lack of inheritance rights, exclusion from decision-making processes, and the burden of unpaid domestic labour. The study recommends improving girls' and women’s access to education, reforming inheritance laws to include women, and ensuring equitable access to public services like healthcare and education for both genders, as critical measures for dismantling the patriarchal structures in forest governance and empowering women to contribute meaningfully to national development.