Footballs, Almond Blossoms and Blue Chickens: Forestry Extension with Rural Women in Pakistan

Abstract

"In Pakistan, purdah, the social segregation of men and women, is the cultural norm. The government forest service in general and the extension service in particular are exclusively staffed by men. Moreover, development efforts including social or community forestry projects have not yet developed approaches that are culturally compatible with the participation of women. This has resulted in the virtual exclusion of women from forestry and watershed management development efforts, despite the fact that women are responsible for many activities that have a direct bearing on natural resource conservation and use."