Gender roles and their implications in charcoal production and marketing in Makunka area of Kazungula district, Zambia
Date
2021
Authors
Siakachoma, Kebby
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Although the charcoal value chain generates significant employment opportunities, men and
women do not necessarily participate the same way, and benefits may not be evenly distributed
between them. Gender is a core issue deserving of distinction among many issues that affect human
fairness and efficiency in development. This study explored gender roles and their implications in
charcoal production and marketing in Makunka area of Kazungula district. The objectives were
achieved through a qualitative study of the subject. A sample of 60 charcoal producers and
marketers comprising 35 men and 25 women representing 58.3 percent and 41.7 percent
respectively was selected using snowball sampling method. Semi structured interviews were
administered to the charcoal producers and marketers. Key informant interviews were
administered to 2 Forest Department officials. These interviewees were purposively selected as
they were known to have knowledge on charcoal production and marketing. A focus group
discussion was held with men and women to further investigate gender dynamics in charcoal
production and marketing from a group setting. The data collected from charcoal producers and
marketers was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results show that 63 percent of men (n=35) and
55 percent of the women (n=25) reported that men mostly transport charcoal while 49 percent of
men and 57 percent of women respondents reported that charcoal marketing was mostly done by
women. 45 percent of the men respondents and three quarters (75%) of women respondents
indicated that men do not normally sell their charcoal at production sites. 40 percent and 67 percent
of the men and women respondents respectively observed that women experience higher costs of
charcoal production and marketing costs than men. The study concluded that the major gender
roles in charcoal production and marketing were; cutting down trees which was done by both men
and women, charcoal transportation done by men and charcoal selling done by women. Men also
dominated in tree selection, cross cutting into sizable logs and transporting the charcoal to the
market place whereas women were also involved in tree felling using fire, firing the kiln and
monitoring the burning kiln. The high demand posted on the market for charcoal due to factors
like load shedding and the inability of poor people to access alternative energy sources was
recognized as an opportunity to raise income, coupled with low entry barriers in the charcoal value
chain. The challenges in charcoal production and marketing were among others poor market
structure, too much labor involved and health issues due to exposure to residue waste from the
production processes. Some of the implications of gender roles in charcoal production and
marketing were, use of unsuitable tree species, low income for women as they had to use hired
labor and sell at production sites and more income for men due to greater market coverage and
better-quality charcoal. This study recommends the formation of a charcoal producers and
marketers association to promote specialization of men and women in the roles that they do in the
charcoal value chain while involving the Forestry Department and other bodies to sensitize men
and women on better practices as opposed to the use of conventional traditional methods which
lead to forest degradation.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Gender roles--Zambia , Forest degradation--Zambia , Forests and forestry--Zambia. , Forest policy--Zambia. , Charcoal , Charcoal burning