/^"M P2- (^Z O <^^ '"^ \^CMClM Women, forests and markets: researching poverty alleviation through commercialisation of forest resources in Mexico and Bolivia. Miss Elaine Marshall and Dr Kate Schreckenberg^ 'UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge. CBS ODL. UK. email elaine. marshall(a)imep-wcmc. org 'Overseas Development Institute, III Westminster Bridge Road, London SEI 7JD, k.schreckenberg(g>odi.org.uk Abstract: It is widely recognised that substantial opportunities exist in Latin America to enhance livelihoods of marginalised forest dependant communities, through the commercialisation of forest resources. The research presented in this paper explores the relationship between successful commercialisation of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and poverty alleviation and gender equality, in Mexico and Bolivia. It documents the approach taken in designing and implementing a research project that would contribute to the increased imderstanding of different needs of both women and men involved in NTFP commercialisation. It acknowledges that for poverty reduction to be effective, the many varied and important roles of women, including their contribution to household income generation through the use and management of natural resources, need to be recognised. Gender discrimination is globally the most widespread form of social exclusion, and this inequality is a key obstacle to development. United Nations estimates indicate that up to 70% of the world's poor are female, and women in developing countries constitute the majority of the labour force, playing a key role in managing community resources and helping to protect the environment. This paper shares some of the challenges facing researchers wanting to mainstream gender issues in the natural resources sector, and some of the valuable lessons learnt from the field. Introduction: During the past decade, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been widely promoted as a potential solution to high rates of tropical deforestation. The commercial development of NTFPs, such as fruits, nuts, resins, fibre and medicines derived from plants, could increase the value of forest resources and thereby reduce the conversion of forest to other land uses. As a result, many development agencies and conservation organizations have fostered the commercial development of such products, with the aim of encouraging forest conservation while alleviating rural poverty. However, the result of such ventures has been highly variable. While some NTFPs have been commercialised successfully, many others have failed, raising questions about the joint contribution that NTFPs can make to rural development and conservation strategies. A key question has therefore emerged: which factors determine whether the commercialisation ofan NTFP will be successfiil? Non Timber Forest Products are an important tool in addressing poverty issues for marginalised, forest dependant communities, by contributing to livelihood outcomes, including food security, health and well being, and income (FAO, 1995; Falconer, 1996). In many parts of the world these resources are critical, especially for the rural poor and women, and may provide them with the only source of personal income (Falconer, 1996; Rodda, 1993). It is the socially most marginalised people who are the main actors in NTFP extraction (Ros-Tonen, 1999). NTFPs represent an important source of income and employment, particularly to women, encouraging increased production and harvesting for local trade (Marshall and Newton, 2000; Soehartono and Newton, 2000 a,b; Hellier et al, 1999;