Empowering Through Recognition: An Analysis Of Women's Participation In Forest Rights Act 2006 In Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand And Rajasthan

Abstract

In India, the Forest Rights Act of 2006 (FRA 2006) is a significant legal initiative that aims to address past injustices experienced by underprivileged communities, especially those who live in tribal areas and forests.  The gendered character of the FRA 2006 implementation warrants more examination, even if it addresses the larger issues of land and resource rights. In communities that depend on forests, women have always been essential to traditional knowledge and sustainable resource management techniques. Despite this, their contributions are frequently undervalued. Taking this into consideration, the study "Empowering Through Recognition: An Analysis of Women's Participation in Forest Rights Act 2006 Implementation" aims to explore the particular dynamics related to women's involvement in the FRA 2006 procedures. The study intends to investigate a number of aspects of women's participation, such as their engagement in decision-making procedures, the acknowledgement of their rights to land and resources, and the influence of their empowerment on community dynamics. The study aims to uncover enablers and constraints influencing women's agency in the context of the FRA 2006 through a nuanced analysis of three states: Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. It also aims to evaluate the wider effects of women's involvement on gender equity, community development, and traditional sustainable forest management.