Potentials of Common Property Resources in a Nigerian Rainforest Ecosystem: An Antidote to Rural Poverty among Women

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2008

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

"There is a new and increasing emphasis on poverty alleviation and livelihoods improvement in forestry, representing both a challenge and an opportunity. In Nigeria, it is widely recognised that substantial opportunities exist to enhance livelihoods of marginalised forest dependant communities, through the utilisation of forest resources. This paper briefly reviews the evolution of the livelihoods issue, analyzes the concept of poverty alleviation and discusses means by which forest resources contribute to livelihoods improvement. It focuses on the contributions of forest products to poverty alleviation in a Nigerian rainforest ecosystem. It acknowledges that for poverty reduction to be effective, the many varied and important roles of women, including their contribution to household income generation through the use and management of natural resources, need to be recognised. United Nations estimates indicate that up to 70 % of the worlds poor are female, and women in developing countries constitute the majority of the labour force, playing a key role in managing common property resources and helping to protect the environment. This paper shares some of the benefits derived by the rural women from the forest resouces and challenges facing them in utilizing these resources."

Description

Keywords

poverty, livelihoods, women, forest management, IASC

Citation

Collections