Social Impacts of Protected Areas on Gender in West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Protected areas (PAs) often exacerbate inequalities, particularly for women and the poor, by restricting access to essential resources without providing adequate compensation. A study on Kilimanjaro National Park and Enduimet Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania reveals that while both men and women face challenges due to PA restrictions, women suffer disproportionately due to gendered division of labor and limited livelihood alternatives. Despite modest benefits from PAs, illegal resource collection persists as a survival strategy for many. The research combines qualitative methods—including interviews and focus groups—to highlight how conservation efforts may inadvertently worsen the well-being of adjacent communities, particularly female-headed households and the economically disadvantaged.

Mariki, S. B. (2016). Social Impacts of Protected Areas on Gender in West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 04(03), 220–235. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2016.43028