Key messages

• Miskitu and Mayangna women from rural forest-dependent communities in the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte, RACCN) of Nicaragua still have a limited presence and are at a disadvantage in representation in decision-making arenas, due in part to weak community governance. Strengthening women's participation improves community governance.
• Cultural rules continue to favor men. The road to gender equity requires spaces for women to reflect on their role in community forest governance, but it also requires men's commitment, respect and support.
• Participatory governance monitoring has provided an avenue for women to express their concerns about natural resource management issues and conflicts and has also generated hope for change.

Authors: Flores, S.; Evans, K.; Larson, A.M.; Pikitle, A.; Marchena, R.

Subjects: gender, rural communities, indigenous peoples, community-based forest management, women's participation

Publication type: Brief, Publication

Year: 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17528/cifor/006218