Gender Utilization of Forest Products among Rural Dwellers in Osun State, Nigeria

This study specifically determined male and female’s level of utilization of forest products among rural dwellers in Osun State, Nigeria through the instrumentality of gender lens. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting a total of 240 respondents. Structured interview schedule and Focus Group Discussion Guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential tools. The results show that the mean level of utilization of forest products for male respondents was 266.99±70.31, while that of female respondents was 248.23±72.04 (with a maximum obtainable score of 747). The results of t-test show that calculated t-value of 2.042 was higher than the critical t-value of 0.042 at p≤0.05 with 238 degrees of freedom. This result implies that there was a significant difference in the utilization of forest products by male and female respondents. The Focus Group Discussion results show that male respondents have favorable disposition in their utilization of economically viable forest products than females. This in turn has created a source of financial advantage through a robust economic engagement of males in the study area. However, females have always been at the receiving end of natural resource policies which tend to favor males at their detriment. This in turn has hindered sustainable utilization of forest products in the study area In conclusion; there was a significant difference in the level of utilization of forest products by male and female respondents. The result of this statistical analysis indicates that the calculated t-value of 2.042 is higher than the critical t-value of 0.042 at 0.05 level of significance with 238 degree of freedom. Hence, the study seeks attention in addressing this inequality by engendering policy frameworks which tends to focus on gender equality in order to ensure sustainable forest resource utilization as a panacea for economic development.