A Presentation for Trees on Earth Development Foundation on March 28, 2013, Ogori/Magongo LGA Conference Hall, Kogi State by MS. TITILOPE NGOZI AKOSA ED , Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st) , Nigeria March 28th , 2013

1. The Role of Gender in Tree Planting
Initiative and Climate Change
Resilience
Being a Presentation
Trees on Earth Development Foundation. March 28, 2013,
Ogori/Magongo LGA Conference Hall, Kogi State
MS. TITILOPE NGOZI AKOSA
ED , Centre for 21st
Century Issues (C21st) , Nigeria
March 28th
, 2013

2. INTRODUCTION
• Recognizing the role that gender plays in tree planting is
very important in addressing the threat of global climate
change and building resilience.
• As much as the impacts of climate change is differentiated
by gender so also the solutions to climate change especially
in mitigating climate change is also gendered
• Tree planting brings a host of benefits, trees provide
cleaner air, richer soil, wildlife habitat, and shade. They
conserve water and protect lands against floods. They also
absorb carbon dioxide the cause of climate change. The
different roles assumed by men and women in
environmental and natural resources management has
significant implication for tree planting initiatives.

3. IMPORTANCE OF TREE PLANTING IN CLIMATE
CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION
• Trees act as carbon sinks
• Trees provide shades to mitigate the impact of
climate induced temperature rise
• Controls pollution
• Protects land from erosion and flooding

4. UNDERSTANDING GENDER AND TREE
PLANTING
• Gender refers to the socially
constructed roles, behaviors, activities,
and attributes that a given society
considers appropriate for men and
women.
• Literally, the Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary 2001, defines a
tree as “a tall plant that can live a long
time with a thick central wooden
stem”. Tree-planting could simply be
planting and nurturing of trees that
would grow tall, live long and exhibit
the basic characteristics that makes up
a tree. A. C. Anongo
http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/aas
r-vol4-iss3/AASR-2012-4-3-1423-
1431.pdfthe planting

5. GENDER AND TREE PLANTING
• The socially ascribed roles and
behavioral pattern of women
and men in relation to the
environment and natural
resources use pattern can have
significant implications for tree
planting
• Equally the dependence of the
livelihood and economic
activities of women and men on
trees are also very crucial for
sustainability of tree planting
initiatives
• For instance women cut trees to
use as fuel wood for their cooking
while men cut down trees to
engage in lumbering

6. IMPACT OF GENDER ON TREE
PLANTING
• Men cut trees burn and convert them to coal for
women to use as cooking fuel.
• Women and men use plants and herbs from the forest
as medicine.
• Population pressure which breeds anti- tree planting
behaviors such as dumping of waste on planted areas
and trampling on plants.
• Destruction of illegal structures and stalls to make
room for tree planting space could disproportionately
affect women livelihood activities as thus discourage
women from participating in tree planting exercise

7. BEST PRACTICES IN TREE PLANTING INITIATIVES
THAT TAKES ACCOUNT OF GENDER
• These highlighted gendered activities can
lead to deforestation, hinder tree planting
initiatives and thus contribute greatly to
global climate change.
• Understanding and taking account of gender
issues in tree planting initiatives can help in
finding long term strategy to implement
sustainable tree planting initiatives

8. BEST PRACTICES
• There are best practices in tree planting
initiatives around the world which can be
replicated In Nigeria.
• Tree planting initiatives that specifically enlist the
participation of women have had great success.
Examples are;
• The Late Wangari Mathais’s Greenbelt
movement women’s tree planting initiative is
one of the world best practices. Tree planting
was linked to women’s economic empowerment
which helped the women earn carbon credits

9. GHANA CASE STUDY
In Ghana women
tree growers
association were
formed in many
rural communities
to nurture the
culture of tree
planting. Separate
woodlots for fire
wood were
maintained by the
women

10. LAGOS CASE STUDY
• In Lagos state it was found that enlisting women
participation in tree planting activities can help to
give responsibility for family interaction with the
environment. Which could be through gardening
care of trees and visitation to parks by children.
( Lagos State, State of the environment Report
2011)
• The first lady of Lagos Mrs Fashola leads women
on Tree planting campaign and environmental
sanitation

11. STRATEGIES FOR MAINTREAMING GENDER
IN TREE PLANTING INITIATIVES
• Conduct a multi-stakeholder meeting to understand the
issues and concerns of men and women in tree planting.
• Involve men and women in tree planting decision making
• Mobilize women and men to form tree planting groups
• Empower men and women in other livelihood skills to
discourage cutting of tree as a means of livelihood.
• Training men and women on the environmental benefits of
tree planting and how to plant and nurture trees
• Embark on regular tree planting campaigns and awareness
raising

12. CONCLUSION
• Gender is a critical factor in institutionalizing
the culture of tree planting.
• The voices, issues and concerns of women
and men are very key to a successful and
sustainable tree planting initiative
• Thank you