Ahfad university for Women-SudanWomen in Rural Sudan
The Case of Al Dagag Village
Gihan Adam AbdallaAhfad University for Women
Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Development in Times of Crisis
Humboldt-University Berlin, January 25-26, 2013
Ahfad University for Women-Sudan
10 years successful Ahfad – Humboldt Link program on Sudanese women survival strategies: Challenges and perspectives with emphasis on ecology and food security
Women in Rural SudanThe context of Sudan:The case of Sudan is unique when discussing
poverty Because of:Long-time war After war challengesSeparation and economic shock
Dictatorship and authoritativeEconomic challenges, inflation, liberalization,
and economic underdevelopmentSocial challenges, education, health, gender Regional differentiation and rural urban
prejudiceMigration
Al Dagag Village
Poverty in Al DagagDepending on rain-fed
agricultureLow incomeLiving at a subsistent levelInappropriate
infrastructureIndigenous technologies
and knowledge
Poverty in Al DagagLow standards of living Poor technologies
Poverty in Al DagagAccessibility of water Illiteracy and health
threats
Services in Al Dagag“worsening poverty”
Services in Al Dagag
Services in Al Dagag
Vulnerability in Al DagagDifferent types of
personal shocksE.g. sickness,
injuries, deathVaried types of
general and natural disasters
E.g. fires ,draught(s)
Vulnerability in Al Dagag
Women’s LivelihoodLiving in chronic poverty and vulnerability giving
women more space to have an economic activity Division of land:Household land (clay land for the husband)Small piece of land in sandy soil (for the wife)They have control over their production and
moneyQuoting from Mona: “We do not say this is my
land and this is your land; however everyone knows his or her land’s boundaries, size, production and income which are used separately”
Women’s LivelihoodWomen’s Livelihood Patterns:Women are farmers Women are also working as labourer Different agriculture practices are linked with
women e.g. Hibiscus is a “women crop”Women are more involved in different
economic activities as:ShopkeepersShail traders (Money lenders)Crop traders
Women’s LivelihoodAisha Al Daw
Women in Al DagagWomen having a “word” in the household: They are allowed to go to the markets They are more involved in public services (they dig
the water basin Hafeer)Cases of women taking the full household’s
responsibility are increasing Despite what men said that they are the bread-
winnersWomen pay for a huge part of the household needs This is seen by them as the main reason for having
a “word” in the household
Women’s LivelihoodWomen save more than men But still social norms do not leave a lot of
room for diversificationsWomen headed households are the poorest
Women building the Social CapitalCoping Strategies: How people surviving in
Al DagagWomen are the main actors in “helping each
other”Women are more involved in social networks
that are considered as important social security mechanism
Wajib (Cash/non-cash contributions to help each other)
Nafeer (Group work to help in harvesting)Sanduqs (ROSCAs)