Customary Governance, Access to Plant Resources, and Gender in Mbala Communities (Kwilu, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Keywords:
Customary governance, resource access, gender, matrilineality, non-timber forest products, Masi-Manimba, Democratic Republic of the CongoAbstract
Customary systems play a central role in the governance of land and plant resources in sub-Saharan Africa, yet their implications for equity of access and sustainability remain insufficiently documented. This study examines customary institutions and access mechanisms to plant resources within Mbala communities in the Masi-Manimba Territory (Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo), with particular emphasis on gender dynamics. Data were collected from 362 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and field observations. The sample size was determined using the Slovin method with a 5% margin of error. Data analyses were conducted using R software version 4.6.0 and combined descriptive statistics with association tests, including Pearson’s chi-square (χ²) test and Fisher’s exact test. The results indicate that the land tenure system is predominantly matrilineal (76.24%), although women rarely benefit from direct land rights (9.39%), with maternal nephews constituting the main beneficiaries of inheritance (58.01%). Despite their strong involvement in agricultural activities (80.43%), women remain underrepresented in land-related decision-making processes. A significant association of moderate strength was observed between gender and types of land-use rights (χ² = 31.69; df = 3; p < 0.001; Cramer's V = 0.296), with women being more frequently associated with conditional, temporary, or absent land-use rights, whereas men were predominantly associated with permanent rights. The findings also reveal a discrepancy between customary norms and actual access practices, reflected in the importance of family-based negotiations (32.60%) and informal access arrangements (13.26%). Plant resources are primarily used for food (32.91%), energy (26.58%), and medicinal purposes (24.05%), while the main constraints to access are related to customary restrictions (33.70%), land pressure (20.65%), and gender inequalities (18.48%). These findings highlight a paradox between matrilineal inheritance and male control over resources, demonstrating that effective access to plant resources remains largely shaped by social relations and customary power structures. They underscore the need to strengthen women’s participation in local governance institutions and to promote more inclusive management mechanisms that reconcile social equity, livelihood security, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
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