Assessing the Contribution of Women's Activities to Environmental Conservation in Sectors Surrounding Nyungwe National Park, Nyamagabe District, Rwanda

Abstract

This study, titled "Assessing contribution of women's activities to environmental conservation in sectors surrounding Nyungwe National Park, Nyamagabe district, Rwanda", discusses the criticality of women in enhancing green environmental associations. The motivation of this study has been informed by the fact that women are increasingly being accepted as important stakeholders in conservation, but their role is mostly undocumented, especially along the borders of the conservation areas, such as Nyungwe. The objectives of the study were to: determine which particular conservation activities women were engaged in, evaluate the level of their achievement, identify the areas in which they were not doing very well, and analyse the connection between their involvement and the environment. The mixed-methods design, including quantitative and qualitative information, was implemented. Using a population household size of 17,375 women, a sample size of 396 was drawn out of which 391 women took part in the survey, whereas 5 local leaders were involved in the interview. Data collection tools included structured questionnaires and interview guides, and analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23.0. Findings show that women are actively involved in reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and water management. These activities have contributed to improved forest cover, reduced deforestation, and enhanced biodiversity. Nevertheless, problems such as a lack of resources and cultural restrictions continue to exist despite the active position of women. Pearson correlation result indicated that there was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.712, p < 0.05) between the activities of women and positive conservation results, hence the important role of their participation. In conclusion, the sustainability of the environment can be encouraged by the fact that women have been empowered in terms of conservation. The research suggests that the government and other stakeholders should empower community-based conservation projects practised by women and commit more resources in the form of education, material, and participation in policy-making.