Role of Women in Natural Resource Governance in Dormaa Central Municipality

Preservation and safeguarding of natural resources cannot be downplayed in this epoch of climate change and food insecurity across the globe. It requires concerted efforts from all classes of people and genders to liberate the globe from the impending dangers associated with the mismanagement of the available natural resources. Given this, the study was designed to assess the roles of women in Natural Resource Management (NRM) in Dormaa Central Municipality. The study used a mixed-method research design where both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire and interview guide. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling methods were used to select respondents for the study. After data collection and analysis, it was discovered that women in the municipality were underrepresented in the various committees and meetings towards NRM. Notably, 84.4% of the women interviewed reported that they have never sat in any meeting discussing how to manage forest, water, and land resources in their communities. Additionally, women were playing some roles in protecting the natural resources, and these were: managing the public standpipes (vendors), joining fire volunteer groups, and afforestation programmes. Also, the perceived masculine-gender superiority was a challenge. The findings showed that 87.6% of landowners in the Municipality are men, benefiting from systems that make land acquisition easier for them. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Forestry Commission, and Dormaa Central Municipal Assembly should embark on intense sensitisation and education across the entire municipality on the roles of women in natural resource management. Secondly, the Gender Desk Officer should periodically organise forums and workshops with women's groups in the municipality and enlighten them about their roles in society, and not belittle the feminine gender. The study highlights systemic underrepresentation of women in NRM and calls for gender-sensitive reforms in policy and practice to ensure sustainable governance of natural resources.