Gender and Community Forestry: Analyzing Women’s Engagement in Forestry Management Near Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda

This study examined women’s involvement in sustainable forestry management practices among host communities adjacent to the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe District, Uganda. The study aimed to (i) examine the extent and forms of women’s participation in forestry management structures around Bidibidi Refugee Settlement; (ii) identify sociocultural, economic, and institutional factors influencing women’s participation in forestry governance; (iii) compare participation patterns between refugee and host‐community women in forestry management; and (iv) assess whether existing forestry governance structures promote inclusive and gender‐responsive participation. It was guided by the gender and development (GAD) theory and the community‐based resource management (CBRM) framework and focused specifically on existing forestry management practices that involve and empower women. A descriptive cross‐sectional survey design was employed, using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews with 250 respondents. Results showed that women were engaged in forestry practices primarily through Local Forestry Committees (33.0%), Village Natural Resource Management Committees (22.0%), Refugee–Host Joint Committees (4.6%), and informal practices such as tree planting and agroforestry (35.8%). Women’s roles were largely operational, including nursery establishment, attending meetings, and forest patrols, while leadership roles remained minimal. Regression analysis indicated that operational activities significantly predicted women’s awareness and participation ( p < 0.05). The study concluded that although forestry management structures exist, women’s meaningful involvement is constrained, often limited to labor contributions rather than leadership or decision‐making roles. Policy reforms, capacity‐building, and deliberate gender‐sensitive interventions are recommended to strengthen inclusive forestry governance in refugee‐hosting areas.