Numerous studies examining gender roles in sustainable management of forest resources (SMFR) have shown that women's engagement adds a new dimension to the equation. However, their effective participation is still low, largely due to gendered subordination. To ascertain women’s potential in sustainable forest management in Yumbe district, this study examined the conventional roles of both genders. Random sampling techniques were used to select 371 general respondents (51% female) from 15,346 households, while purposive sampling was used to select 19 key informants and 4 focus group discussants. The findings revealed that different genders played different roles in forest management. Despite being the poorest, least educated, most involved in agriculture, and having limited access to and control over forest resources, women were the most concerned about the declining state of forest resources in the area. They more effective in implementing programmes geared towards sustainable management of forest resources. Lessons learned from the study indicate that, despite being marginalised, women continued to play an important role in the management of forest resources. The study therefore recommends that gender-inclusive approaches be embraced to achieve sustainable management of forest resources. The approaches should ensure equal participation between both genders in order to disentangle some participatory challenges caused by gendered subordination.

Keywords: Gender, Forest resources, Sustainable Forest management, Indigenous knowledge, Women’s role in forest management, Social well-being.