Evaluating forest conservation policies of Bhutan: sensitiveness and responsiveness to gender considerations

Putting gender at the centre of policy analysis is a crucial task, yet one rarely accomplished effectively. Gender research in South Asia has increasingly emphasised the importance of evolving dynamics and balancing the gender participation in forest policy and practice. Efforts have been undertaken to enhance women involvement in local governance including forest conservation through policy measures that include community forestry initiatives across South East Asia as well as in Bhutan. However, this has not led to a more equitable role for men and women in the forestry industry since it has not properly addressed the underlying issues of power dynamics and inequality. This investigation aimed to evaluate the incorporation of gender issues in Bhutan's forest policies over 50 years. In order to gauge the level of forest conservation policy responsiveness towards gender needs and demands, we employed content analysis and discourse analysis based on an analytical framework centred on various dimensions including socio-economic, socio-cultural, political and operational procedures. The results highlight that the policies concerning forest conservation utilized gender-neutral language when referring to the larger discourse of communities. Notably, terms with connotations specific to men outweigh those associated with women. While phrases specifically addressing women were irregularly and inconsistently employed in certain policy documents, discerning distinct trends in their usage remains challenging. The analysis underscores that only a limited number of forest policies in Bhutan display gender responsiveness, necessitating a greater comprehension of gender roles in forest conservation.