A gender sensitive study of perceptions and practices in and around Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

This report describes the findings of one in a series of studies which aim to assess the linkages between the issues of gender and a DGIS-WWF supported Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP) set in and around the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP), Ethiopia. The project is still in its early stages, and therefore it was considered to be of most value if this particular study aimed to obtain a better understanding of the local socio-economic, political, cultural and environmental context in which the project will be set. The study placed a particular emphasis on gender issues, focusing on gender roles and differences in mobility, social organisation, current livelihood practices and perceptions/views of the Park and conservation. Through understanding these differences and gender domains it was anticipated that areas of intervention would be highlighted, so offering some direction and ways forward for the project, to take account of its objective of addressing gender issues and including marginal groups, such as women. The study took place in four villages  Gojera, Karari, Gofingria and Soba  and one town  Dinsho  situated on the northern unfenced boundaries of BMNP. The research involved semi-structured interviews with village/town inhabitants and/or key informants; a survey of women traders in the market place; and the use of Rapid Rural Appraisal techniques such as mobility/resource mapping and transect walks. The town and villages are currently undergoing a process of change and modernisation, with Dinsho slowly growing in prosperity and size. This is reflected in the recent input to the provision of services in the town, such as a new market and the community-supported project to supply mains electricity. Both traditional and modern systems of governance run concurrently, and religion and culture still play an important role in influencing peoples lives. The majority of the local community is Muslim and Oromo. The local communities live in a relatively harsh and often unpredictable environment. Local services are few and those that exist are poorly resourced. Agriculture is mainly subsistence barley farming, supplemented by vegetable growing, semi-nomadic pastoralism and the diversification of livelihoods. The grazing of cattle and collection of fuel wood from inside the Parks boundaries is illegal, yet it occurs on a regular basis. The increasing population of both people and cattle in recent years has added to the pressure on the Park and its natural resources. This is particularly the case for the village of Gofingria. Women and girls are marginalised groups in the society. Large gender inequities exist in schooling, health care and institutional support. Women are mainly responsible for the household and men for agriculture. However women often work on the land as well, but despite this, gender stereotypical roles are encouraged by the local institutions. In addition, womens mobility is severely restrained and there is little formal support for their organisation or ways to challenge the inequities they experience. Informally, the self-help groups or iddir that have been established, appear to offer an opportunity for providing space to promote womens interests. The BMNP was established in 1970, and since this time it has had a profound effect on the lives of those living in both Dinsho and the surrounding villages. During the time of the Derg (1974-91) many households were expelled from the Park, and today, attempts are being made to force similar evictions. This has encouraged a very negative view of the Park within the local communities and has added to their insecurity. Indeed, the majority of the local communities sees no benefits from the Park, yet incur costs from the damage of crops by wild animals and restrictions on the use of natural resources in the Park. A small number of the local population, that live in the villages close to the Park, do obtain benefits from it through employment as scouts or within the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Project, and through the hiring of horses and as guides for tourists. In addition some awareness of the importance of the Park in protecting the local environment and biodiversity was perceived. In conclusion, it is suggested that there are a number of areas that could be targeted by the WWF project for future intervention. These include the promotion of the growing of indigenous trees; support for the provision of local services in the villages; support through a micro-credit system; tourism; and the promotion of better relations between the Park and the local communities. More specifically, in relation to women and the establishment of projects which target them, there are a number of existing institutions that already provide a good basis for moves forward. Firstly, the presence of supportive legislation, secondly the existence of self-help groups in some areas, and thirdly the beginnings of community support for increased gender equity. In addition suggestions for projects are made, focusing on a diversification of womens livelihoods. These range from handicrafts, honey and butter making to sustainable enterprises based on the planting of fruit trees and the collection of wild herbs and flowers. However, it is stressed that if such projects are to be instigated, WWF must be cautious not to add excessively to womens daily work load and to promote unwanted gender-stereotypical roles. Finally, it is suggested that the most appropriate of the villages studied, for targeting by WWF as a pilot village for the project, would be Karari. Reasons for this include its geographical situation, the already existing support in the village and the need for resolving present conflicts with the Park.