The Role of Ecotourism in Promoting Women Empowerment and Community Development: Some Reflections From Kenya

Threats posed by climate change have necessitated the search for alternative income-earning opportunities that are sustainable in most rural areas of developing countries. Climate change is likely to impact more negatively on women than men. Therefore, there is a need for diversifying rural livelihoods to reduce poverty and improve social welfare. This paper examines the ways in which ecotourism empowers women participants in rural areas of Kenya by offering them alternative and sustainable livelihoods. The authors argue that the creation of income-generating activities for women through ecotourism would help alleviate poverty, improve the status of women, and promote sustainable development of the local communities. The methodology used for collecting data in this paper was primarily qualitative in nature consisting of field observations by the authors and case studies of ecotourism projects initiated and managed by women throughout the country. The study adopts a multiple case study research design by examining the impacts of several ecotourism projects in different parts of the country, some owned by women and others by members of the local communities. Secondary methods included literature search and review. Available literature concerning concept of ecotourism, principles and practices, and research findings in other parts of the world was analyzed and put in the context of the Kenyan situation. Information from secondary sources provided insights on how ecotourism ventures in other parts of the world have positively or negatively impacted women. Such literature provided lessons on how to manage ecotourism projects properly in order to empower women and promote community development in Kenya. While available literature review shows positive impacts of ecotourism on women and local communities in Kenya, not all ecotourism projects provide social empowerment to the community. Some communities do not appear to get any tangible social benefits from ecotourism projects. The study concludes by recommending that the initiation, planning, and implementation of ecotourism projects should be carefully done to benefit women and local communities.

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