Women, livestock & markets in Eastern & Southern Africa

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) published the book “Women, livestock ownership and markets: bridging the gender gap in Eastern and Southern Africa” (2013, 148pp) edited by Jemimah Njuki and Pascal Sanginga. It brings empirical evidence from Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique – and from different production systems, including pastoralism and agropastoralism – that livestock is an important asset to women and their participation in livestock and livestock product markets.

The nine papers in the book explore issues of intrahousehold income management and economic benefits of livestock markets to women, focusing on how the types of markets and products, and women’s participation in markets, influence their access to livestock income. They analyse the role of livestock ownership, especially by women, in influencing household food security by increasing household dietary diversity and food adequacy. They also address issues of access to resources, information and financial services to enable women to participate more effectively in livestock production and marketing.

The book indicates practical strategies for increasing women’s market participation and access to resources, and includes recommendations on how to mainstream gender in livestock research and development so that livestock ownership can serve as a pathway out of poverty, especially for women.

Posted on 27 November 2016 in Pastoralism & Marketing, Pastoralism, Gender & Youth