Women’s Agency in Agroforestry and Its Contribution to Household Fuelwood Security in Kimilili Sub-county in Western Kenya

Abstract

Despite aspirations to transition away from fuelwood reliance, the persisting reality is that billions worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, continue to depend on it as their primary cooking energy source. Being the primary users of fuelwood in many cultural contexts, women possess valuable knowledge and expertise related to fuelwood use and management. Cultural norms and beliefs, however, shape women’s opportunities and constraints with regard to fuelwood production and utilisation. As a sustainable source of fuelwood, this cross-sectional descriptive study investigated women’s agency within agroforestry and its consequential impact on household fuelwood security in Kimilili Sub-County located in Western Kenya. The research scrutinized the cultural influences on the choice of tree species used as fuelwood, the norms guiding women’s roles in tree planting, and the resulting implications for fuelwood security. Guided by the structuration theory, the study centred on individual women engaged in agroforestry as its primary unit of analysis. Data were gathered through a multifaceted approach, encompassing in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The qualitative data were managed using NVivo 12 Plus and analysed thematically. The findings of the study illuminated the specific tree preferences among women, a predilection influenced by distinct properties such as heat retention, reduced smoke production, and rapid drying. Trees such as Grevillea robusta (kumukrivelia) and Eucalyptus saligna (kumwiti) were widely noted as the most preferred, given their superior burning qualities as well as their extensive availability. The study also unveiled a wide spectrum of beliefs, varying from one tree species to another, yet unified by their impact on the decision-making process regarding fuelwood selection. As such, the findings underscored that cultural beliefs play an influential role in shaping the choice of specific tree species for fuelwood, echoing the structural element of cultural norms. The current utilisation of Erythrina abyssinica (kumurembe), a tree culturally prohibited due to the belief that it caused mumps, however, indicates the dynamic nature of culture. This dynamism is accentuated by the evolving role of women in tree planting practices, traditionally restricted to men. Driven by shifting family structures, education, employment, religion, and fuelwood scarcity, the findings show that women’s growing role in tree planting has been impactful, specifically with regards to household fuelwood security. However, the study also highlights the lingering influence of entrenched cultural norms, which continue to hinder active female participation in agroforestry with negative implication on household fuelwood security. In this context, findings show that women’s autonomy to harvest trees for fuelwood use is significantly constrained by extant power dynamics within households. This restrains women’s ability to ensure a steady supply of fuelwood for their households. As a vital step forward, therefore, community sensitization efforts are recommended to shed light on the detrimental effects of women’s restrained autonomy. This requires the collaboration of agroforestry extension offices, local community leaders and influential village elders. It also recommended that during the distribution of trees by agroforestry extension officers, trees with good burning qualities and that are void of men’s economic interests, should be propagated. This will not only be useful to women, given their preference for trees with good attributes, but will also contribute to more sustainable and equitable agroforestry practices. By prioritizing tree species like Erythrina abyssinica, which align with women’s preferences and needs, agroforestry initiatives can foster greater agency and autonomy for women in agroforestry and, thus, ensure fuelwood security