Empowering women to claim their forest rights in India

Historically, tribal communities and traditional forest dwellers in India have relied on forest resources for habitation, cultivation, and livelihood for centuries. In recognition of this, the Forest Rights Act (FRA) was passed in the country in 2006. Also known as the Tribal Rights Act or the Tribal Land Act, it addresses the rights of the communities that dwell in forests, over land and other resources, which have been denied to them over the years due to the continuation of forest laws from the colonial era in the country.

In Chhattisgarh, a state with 45 percent forest cover and a vast tribal population, several issues related to forest rights have come to light in recent years – especially when a gender lens is applied. Land ownership is predominantly held by men, for instance. Therefore, women have long been sidelined and overlooked on matters of forest governance and rights. Despite the FRA, little was done to raise awareness among these women about their actual rights and the mechanisms to claim them, such as forest rights committees (FRCs) in their villages, hampering women from filing claims and often being denied participation in community forums.

However, a transformative movement has been brewing among the forest-dwelling women of Baloda Bazar district in Chhattisgarh. Significant change took root in the past few years as the women of the region became actively engaged and stood up together to claim their forest rights.

Strengthening the community through collective approaches: the NETRI programme 

Conscious of these challenges faced by women, Ahmi Amchya Arogya Sathi (AAAS), an Indian not-for-profit organisation working on community health, launched the NETRI programme.

Seeking to empower women in their journey to access their forest rights, NETRI provided leadership training for more than 300 women from ten villages in Chhattisgarh. The participants learned about the specifics of forest rights committees, democratic governance systems, negotiation principles, and how to voice their concerns, seizing the power they held within themselves to effect change. Inspired by success stories from other regions, they realised the importance of women’s representation in the FRCs and fought to be heard. As a result, for instance, the once male-dominated committees now see a female representation of around 50% among their members.

These women, equipped with newfound knowledge and confidence, began to advocate and be more outspoken regarding their traditional wisdom regarding forests and food systems, highlighting the challenges arising from the complexities of seasonality and the critical needs of forest management. They demanded recognition of their roles and rights, no longer hindered by awareness constraints.

A challenge that spans generations

The hardships of the pandemic also played a part in this process. The younger generation realised the vital importance of forests for their livelihoods, culture, and economy. This realisation fuelled their passion to protect and preserve the forests for generations to come.

The training provided through NETRI not only empowered the women in the region to claim their rights but also sparked a resurgence of traditional knowledge about crops, forest products, herbal medicines, and the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in their surroundings. With great zeal, the participating women documented this knowledge, recognising it as their rich heritage. They acknowledged the losses their forests and livelihoods suffered and understood the need for intergenerational knowledge transfer to build and restore their forests for a sustainable future.

This movement signifies a powerful shift in the landscape of forest governance, where women, empowered with knowledge and determination, are reclaiming their rightful place as stewards of the forests they call home. Through their unity and resilience, they are not only securing their own rights but also paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for generations to come.