Trends in Applied Sciences Research1819-35792151-7908Science International10.3923/tasr.2015.77.87HundeDebela AbedetaChemeda BirhanTechale SharmaManju 22015102Ethiopia is considered as one of the countries with rich plant biodiversity in the world. However, biodiversity decline through time due to several activities including medicinal plants use role of gender is less investigated. Therefore, this study focused on the role of gender in medicinal plants cultivation and conservation practices in three districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling technique was used to select study sites and respondents in Mana, Kersa and Seka Chekorsa districts of nine peasant associations. One hundred eighty respondents were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Focus group discussion with key informants at each study areas were made to gather more information. An ethnobotanical data collection method was used for collecting data, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 16. The result showed that medicinal plants reported from the study area classified in to 25 families and 36 species, with growth forms 11 shrubs, 19 herbs and 1 climber. The result indicated that women are largely involved (37.67%) in cultivation and conservation (41.13%) of medicinal plants in compared to all family members in the study area indicating that mothers are responsible for family health care. The present study has revealed that local people of Jimma zone have rich knowledge of medicinal plant cultivation and management with more responsibility on women. This knowledge has far reaching importance in contributing healthcare system and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, it is essential to promote the local medicinal plants cultivation and management practices to benefit the future generation from both the knowledge and the medicinal plant diversity.]]>Abebe, D. and A. Ayehu,19931993Abebe, D.,20012001pp: 621Addis, G., D. Abebe and K. Urga,2001193047Caniago, I. and S.F. Stephen,199852229250Coe, F.G. and G.J. Anderson,19965071107Gollin, L.X.,19971997pp: 135-148pp: 135-148Cotton, C.M.,1996Pages: 424Pages: 424Dhillion, S.S. and C. Amundsen,20002000pp: 103-131pp: 103-131Edwards, S.,20012001pp: 46-55pp: 46-55Bekele, E.,20072007Kelbessa, E., S. Demissew, Z. Woldu and S. Edwards,19921992pp: 35-55pp: 35-55Giday, M.,200138199Hamilton, A.C.,20041314771517Hareya, F.,200533750Hedberg, I. and S. Edwards,1995Vol. 7,Kainer, K.A. and M.L. Duryea,199246408425Kideghesho, J.R.,20081718611881Luoga, E.J., E.T.F. Witkowski and K. Balkwill,200054328343Mahunnah, R.L.A.,19911991pp: 280-289pp: 280-289Martin, G.J.,1995Pages: 268Pages: 268Hamayun, M., M.A. Khan and S. Begum,20032003Momsen, J.H.,2004Pages: 272Pages: 272Pandit, M.K. and C.R. Babu,1998Coptis teeta wall-an endemic and endangered medicinal herb of Eastern Himalaya.]]>25262272Pfeiffer, J.M.,20022002pp: 43-63pp: 43-63Quiroz, C.,199421214Sheldon, J.W., M.J. Balick and S.A. Laird,1997121104Songorwa, A.N., T. Buhrs and K.F.D. Hughey,200040603643Tabuti, J.R.S., K.A. Lye and S.S. Dhillion,2003881944UNEP.,1995Pages: 1152Pages: 1152Voeks, R.A.,200728720Wolf, J.H.D. and C.J.F. Konings,20011012331World Bank,1992Pages: 308Pages: 308Schalkwyk, J. and B. Woroniuk,19981998Yineger, H., D. Yewhalaw and D. Teketay,20082008