THE ROLE OF POLICY AND GENDER IMPLICATIONS IN DRIVING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN CAMEROON: THE CASE OF BAMENDA, DOUALA AND YAOUNDE.

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to explore the role of policy and gender implications in driving environmental sustainability in Cameroon, focusing on cities like Bamenda, Douala, and Yaounde. The research was guided by the following specific objectives; To assess the existing environmental policies and regulations in Cameroon, with a focus on urban planning and waste management, to examine the gender dimensions of environmental sustainability, including women's roles, responsibilities, and access to resources in urban environmental management, to identify the challenges and barriers faced by policymakers and stakeholders in implementing sustainable environmental practices in Bamenda, Douala, and Yaounde and to determine the relationship between policy interventions and gender implications and environmental sustainability. The research employed both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected by the use of questionnaires while secondary data was collected using secondary data collection sheet. The analysis and interpretations of the research was based on the perspectives offered by the respondents. The researcher solicited individuals to thoroughly evaluate the instruments with respect to their face-to-face and content validity. The test-retest methodology was utilized in order to ascertain the reliability of the measurements. The Cronbach's coefficient was employed to evaluate the reliability of the instruments. A test value of 0.7 was deemed appropriately elevated, hence signifying the dependability of the instruments. The application of concurrent triangulation was utilized to augment the study's trustworthiness. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire, and descriptive statistics was employed to evaluate the data. Therefore, inferential analysis and Pearson's correlation analysis was employed to ascertain the magnitude of the relationship between the independent variable and dependent variables. In order to evaluate the reliability of non-numerical instruments, a detailed interview approach was utilized. The examination of quantitative data entailed the application of descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, in addition to the presentation of results using tables and figures. Descriptive statistical tests comprise several measurements, including percentages, frequencies, and counts, which are used to summarize and describe data. On the other hand, inferential statistical tests involve the application of multiple regression, a statistical technique used to examine relationships and make predictions based on a set of independent variables. The examination of qualitative data entails the use of thematic analysis methodologies, leading to the communication of outcomes in a narrative structure supplemented by direct quotations.