Forest conservation communities in dry forests of Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, a land-locked country in West Africa, global story lines and narratives of gender, sustainability and development meet local realities – and existing national norms – and the different understandings and expectations of gender equality do not always match. The arena of forests and trees in Burkina showcases where ideas for gender inclusive climate change mitigation and adaptation and community forest ideals from the global north and national policy levels get re-translated at local levels, to fit local expectations or to respond to global demands. We apply an intersectionality lens to examine how community forest and climate governance are experienced through the different perspectives of local social groups (men, women, youth, ethnic minorities, residents, migrants).  The groups present different interpretations and narratives of the climate and forest governance problem, highlighting both explicit and hidden tensions and contestations relating to forest access and benefits.