Gender Roles in the Utilization and Challenges in the Management of Mangrove Forests in Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines

Abstract

Mangrove utilization and management were observed done by men and women depending on their needs and priorities in Casiguran, Aurora. This study, therefore, tried to investigate the gender roles in the utilization and management of mangrove forests, the existing mangrove management practices and their challenges, and the relationship between gender and mangrove resources management. A mixed-method approach was used and data were obtained through triangulation. Respondents were obtained through snowball sampling and interviewed using a structured questionnaire with a few open-ended questions. Results revealed that the majority of the respondents were women (60.7%) and residents of Brgy. Esteves (52.5%) live within or near the mangrove forest. Mostly married (59%) who were providing food and income for the family. They utilized mangrove woods (58.20%) with an average quantity of less than 10 board feet (34.4%) for cooking (40.2%). Roots were utilized in minimal amounts (2.50%) for mythical, medicine, and cork purposes. Mollusks (93.44%), commonly bivalves (93.4%), were primarily gleaned by women for food consumption (93.4%) and as a source of income (93. 61%). On the other hand, catching of crabs (57.4%) for consumption (56.6%) and as a source of income (14.8%) and catching of fish (31.1%) for consumption (27.9%) were done by men. Both genders were involved in mangrove management practices, although only 65% of them had actual involvement in mangrove planting, 19% in mangrove nursery development and maintenance, and 16% in mangrove plantation maintenance. Challenges in management include low survival rate of planted mangroves (33%), lack of maintenance activity (20%), and lack of funds for mobilization (20%). A chi-square test of independence revealed that both men and women have no significant difference in their involvement in nursery establishment and maintenance, mangrove planting, and plantation management.