Evaluation of Gender and Power Dynamics in Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Taraba State

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programmes are increasingly adopted in rural Nigeria to promote sustainable land and water governance, yet their gender dynamics frequently replicate existing inequalities in resource access and decision-making. This study evaluates gender and power dynamics in CBNRM initiatives in Taraba State, focusing on forestry and water catchment management committees in Jalingo, Gashaka, and Bali Local Government Areas. A participatory qualitative-led design was adopted, with 80 community members including women and men from resource management committees completing structured questionnaires and participating in focus group discussions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and power analysis frameworks. Findings reveal that women constitute fewer than 15% of CBNRM committee memberships and are absent from leadership roles. Resource governance decisions, including seasonal access rules, fine structures, and benefit sharing mechanisms, are made without female representation, systematically disadvantaging women's resource needs. External NGO programme facilitators acknowledge gender integration as a stated goal but report insufficient community buy-in for quota-based inclusion. Recommendations include mandatory gender quotas in CBNRM committee structures, gender sensitisation for male community leaders, and pilot testing of women-only resource governance sub-committees. This research contributes to gender and environmental governance literature in the North East zone. Keywords: natural resource management, gender, community governance, Taraba State, power dynamics