Relações de gênero na gestão comunitária de recursos florestais no Distrito de Matutuíne - comunidade de Djavula

Abstract

The main objective of this research work was to analyze and understand the extent to which gender relations permeate the management of forest resources in the community of Djavula, Matutuíne District, located approximately 120 km south of the city of Maputo. Assuming that there are significant differences in the distribution of responsibilities, authority and interests between men and women in relation to the use and management of natural resources, and particularly forest resources, this deriving from the socially constructed gender relations that invariably refer us to power relations, both at the level of domestic groups and at the broader level of the community, the present research work has endeavored to verify this point of view. To this end, we conducted a bibliographic review on the topic, combining this with a set of semi-structured interviews with the local population, and an exercise in participant observation. Indeed, preliminary results in general terms, point first, to an inequality of skills, access and control of forest resources by men and women. In fact, in Djavula, and because its social organization rests on the principles of a patrilineal and strongly hierarchical system, we find that the knowledge and competence of women in dealing with certain resources is questioned by men. On the other hand, we had the opportunity to confirm that the preservation and conservation of forest resources are associated with the daily activities of men and women, namely in the collection of medicinal plants, wild fruits, charcoal production, extraction of sura ( a local drink) among others, it is in the context of these activities that local knowledge and practices of relating in a sustainable way with forest resources are passed on. This exercise (the transmission of knowledge) is being done from generation to generation. The daily activities of men and women thus act differently in the use and management of forest resources in the Djavula community. The decisions made by men and women in relation to forest resources and their benefits ultimately reflect power relations. And, because the relationship between social actors with each other and with forest resources can end potential conflicts, in Djavula we found that the mechanisms for resolving them, lie in a broad participation of community members without discrimination of any kind. In another sense, it was possible to perceive the commitment and strategies of the community, in combating the activities of the stealth explorers, most of them coming from the city of Maputo and other distant places, that in the place make the intensive exploitation of the wood resources and not only .(TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)