Firewood scarcity challenges faced by rural women in Rwanda
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Date
2011-07
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Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science
Abstract
The pattern and profile & energy use prevailing today raises important questions
about linkages between energy and the economy, social issues, security and above
all, environmental protection. Rwanda has a number of potential energy resources
from blomass, hydro, solar, petroleum, methane gas, wind and geothermal.
However, the major Issue in this regard Is the technological exploitation and
scientific data on this potential. The widespread and inefficient use of traditional
blomass with low technologies and methods like the three stones stove for wood,
coupled with inefficient kllns for charcoal, contributes to the overexploitatlon of
forest stocks, environmental degradation, and health problems.
The study was mainly a field survey carried out in Ruklra sector of Ngoma District,
Eastern Province in Rwanda. The objectives of the study were: to assess the
challenges faced by Rwandan rural women in gathering fuel wood as a source of
energy, to identify the different energy sources used for lighting and cooking, to
establish the scientific firewood scarcity in the study area and to find out the
environmental consequences of using firewood. A number of research instruments
were used in the study: Questionnaires, Interviews, observations and review of
related literature. The sampling technique used was systematic purposive sampling
to ensure that all the targeted population was fully and objectively involved in the
study. The major findings of the study are that the sources of energy used for
cooking and lighting in rural areas are dry wood, charcoal, crop residues, paraffin,
candle and biogas. The causes of firewood decrease are population growth,
insufficient forests, lack of land for tree plantation and poverty, among others. lime
consuming, heavy woridoads, lack of access to education or to income generating
activities and exposure to Indoor air pollution are among the challenges faced by
rural women. The main environmental impacts associated with firewood use and
collection are forest destruction, soil erosion and indoor air pollution. Finally, the
study reveals that sustaining our environment is crucial for both present and future
generations and thus all attempts aiming at soMng energy problems in rural areas
must involve women for their success.
Description
A Thesis Presented to the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Environmental Management
Keywords
Firewood scarcity challenges, Rural women, Rwanda