The objective of the study was to assess the existing decision making processes of community forest user groups and women's role in it. Besides, it was also intended to elaborate whether socioeconomic and cultural or FUG-related parameters, inter alia, were more responsible in this aspect. It was a case study of four CFUGs including two women-CFUGs from Syangja, a mid hill district of Nepal. The research was descriptive in nature. The sources of data have included societal as well as FUG characters, which were collected both qualitative and quantitative from primary and secondary sources. Extensive field survey was conducted using both questionnaire and checklists to collect the primary data. Consultation of relevant literatures and research advisor had been sought throughout the study. Ten percent sampling intensity was taken in the selected CFUGs for personal interview/ household survey. Total number of CFUG members, i.e. 297 (one from each household) of those four CFUGs was taken as the universe from which the sampling units were drawn. Collected data was processed and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively using appropriate statistical tools accordingly and presented in tabular as well as diagrammatic forms. It was a micro study which attempted to explore the decision making role of women in the CFUGs of certain area. So, it could not comprehend the macro view of the subject matter because women's role is vague in natural resource management and this study reflects some of the variables of FUG and socioeconomic variables.
The findings of the study indicated that FUG-related variables were more responsible for increasing women's participation in CF activities rather than socio-cultural characteristics but economic aspect was a decisive factor. In contrast, the FUGs which had been organizing extension and awareness programs for its members have proven active women's participation. Hesitation due to caste and gender in participation was being faded away and there was an increasing trend of female's involvement in public sphere. However, the level of women's participation was low in Brahmin homogenous society where socio-cultural norms and values were strongly practiced in such consanguineous communities. Subsistence economy of users was to hinder the participation so that weakening the decision making role. Illiterate but experienced women have actively participated in discussion rather than literate who were withdrawal and hesitate to speak. No women were first contacted by extension workers from outside. They have still depended on their husbands to get information about community forestry. The community forests handed over to the women-CFUGs was small in area and either degraded or plantation in nature. CFUG-related characters like good communication, motivation, extension, training/ workshops, income-generating activities, frequent meetings, opportunity and support by males may considerably increase women's participation enhancing decision making role. Therefore, it has been recommended that such activities should be run in order to increase role of women in decision making on community forestry. For instance, women often miss the HRD programs requiring outside stay so package programs in clusters should be provided. Short periodic but frequent programs were useful to them as they need frequent refresh because of busy in household activities.
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